Steve Pilkington denies gun crime in Bristol is out of control

In an interview with BBC News, Steve Pilkington said "it was safe to assume" the shootings were also drug related.

But he stressed the two women who were shot in the head in St George area of the city on Saturday were just innocent victims.

"These two girls have been in the wrong place at the wrong time," he said.

His comments came after detectives revealed they had recovered the vehicle they believe was used in the shooting.

'Significant breakthrough'

The burnt-out silver BMW was discovered in Greenbank, less than a mile from the scene of the shooting.

Police said the discovery of a silver BMW could be a "significant breakthrough".

We have raised our threshold and we do have more firearm units in the centre of Bristol Steve Pilkington, chief constable, Avon and Somerset Police

A 22-year-old woman from Horfield remains in a "life- threatening" condition, while a 25-year-old woman from St Andrews is described as comfortable, although she may lose the sight in one eye.

They were in a silver Saab on Lyndale Road which was fired at by someone who was following them in a BMW.

It is believed a semi-automatic weapon was used. Police say the offenders do not come from the Bristol area.

Despite the shootings, and another unconnected incident where a man was shot in the stomach in St Pauls on Saturday, the chief constable denied gun crime in the city was out of control.

He said armed officers would only patrol the streets if there was specific intelligence about possible clashes between gangs using guns.

Last year, patrolling firearms officers were used as a deterrent to gangs in the city.

But he added: "We have raised our threshold and we do have more firearm units in the centre of Bristol."