Three teenagers were in a serious condition in hospital on Thursday night after being shot in the street.

The female victims, aged 17, 18 and 19, were shot outside a property on an estate in North Kensington, west London.

Police hunting the gunman were investigating if the attack was a botched drive-by shooting. It was initially believed that only one shot was fired.

One of the victims was taken to hospital in a critical condition but has since improved. The victims' injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

Scotland Yard said the teenagers were shot outside an address in John Fearon Walk at around 7.15pm.

The 18-year-old was treated for gunshot wounds at the scene before being taken to hospital by air ambulance. The other two victims made their own way to hospital. A police spokesman said they were alerted to the incident by the ambulance service, which had received reports that several females had been shot and injured.

The spokesman said: "We have got officers down there trying to piece together what is going on. At this stage we are doing all we can."

An investigation is being led by Trident detectives, who are responsible for dealing with gang crime in black communities. No arrests have been made.

Karen Buck, the MP for Westminster North, expressed her concern as she visited the Mozart estate, where the attack took place.

The Labour politician, who has previously called for crackdowns on knife and gun crime, tweeted: "On Mozart estate after reports of 3 girls being shot. Desperately worried about local gang and youth violence. We have to get a grip."

Community leaders have made several attempts to make the area safer in recent years. Yew trees and a herb garden in a chequerboard pattern were planted along John Fearon Walk after it was identified as a hotspot for antisocial behaviour.