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Forces across the country are now stepping up their work to crackdown on gang warfare - with a specific focus on Stockholm. At least 12 ongoing conflicts in the capital are known to police at this moment, but it is believed there could be more. Regional police chief Ulf Johansson said: ”We have had a large number of serious crimes and shootings in Stockholm recently. “In the past few days we've had five murders in Stockholm. Of course it is alarming and very serious.”

TWITTER Around eight police vehicles are at the scene

His warning comes just days after police rushed to a quiet residential street in Kista, northwestern Stockholm, just after 10pm on Wednesday evening after two men were discovered with gunshot wounds in a car just yards from a primary school. Both men were hit by shots to the head and suffered serious injuries, local media have cited the police as saying. Huge swathes of the roads surrounding the area were cordoned off and armed officers deployed to the scene.

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We have had a large number of serious crimes and shootings in Stockholm recently. Regional police chief Ulf Johansson

Around eight police cars surrounded the victims’ car, and police helicopters were spotted in the air above the town. Police spokesperson Anna Westberg confirmed two people had been injured, adding they had been rushed to hospital with serious injuries. She added: "At present, we choose not to comment more."

TWITTER The two victims have been rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds

But a spokesman later confirmed the two men - who were known to police - died after being rushed to a nearby hospital. The car in which the two men had been found in was pictured with the doors open and the lights turned on. It's license plates had also been removed. It is believed the suspect drove away from the scene at high speed and police have now launched an investigation into the two murders.

TWITTER Huge swathes of the roads surrounding the area have now been cordoned off

No arrests have yet been made. But police have confirmed the attack, which took place in a residential area and only metres away from a school, is linked to the rise in gang conflicts. Although deadly violence in Sweden has gone down in recent years, the number of gang-related shootings is up. Stockholm police are currently investigating 47 murders and 57 attempted murders, and so far this year the capital has seen 17 shootings, with seven deaths and 14 people injured.