The A41 shooting is being linked with recent targeted attacks around Watford, Herts Police have confirmed.

A man in his 20s is fighting for his life after he was shot yesterday (July 25) at around 5.20pm while travelling southbound near Junction 5 – following a run-in with the occupants of a black BMW.

Watford Chief Inspector Andy Wiseman said this afternoon that the force is now treating reports of targeted violence in Watford as connected – which include two recent stabbings and a man reportedly being chased with a gun in High Street.

There were rumours of a second violent incident yesterday evening in Waterfields Way, near Lower High Street – which police have now told the Watford Observer was connected to the shooting.

“It is not a separate report and no further incident has happened,” a force spokesperson said.

Police seen in Lower High StreetPolice seen in Lower High Street (Image: MJ’s Laptops & Mobiles)

Following the shooting, an 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, while a 17-year-old girl has been arrested on suspicion of assisting offenders.

One of the incidents it is being connected with is a stabbing in Brocklesbury Close, Watford, at 12.15am on Wednesday (July 24). Two 18-year-old men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remain in police custody.

Another stabbing less than two hours earlier in Clarendon Road, which saw a man in his 20s taken to hospital, is also being linked.

Police at the scene after a man was allegedly chased with a gun.Police at the scene after a man was allegedly chased with a gun. (Image: Submitted)

The other linked incident was on Wednesday (July 10) at 4pm, which reportedly involved suspects brandishing a gun at the victim who was sitting on a bench outside Watford High Street Railway Station.

The victim, a man in his 20s, fled into the station and was allegedly chased by the suspects and hit on the back of the head.

Watford Chief Inspector Andy Wiseman added: “I understand news of this incident will be of concern to the community, and you can expect to see additional officers in the area as investigations are being carried out to determine the circumstances of what happened.

“The section of the A41 from Woodmere Avenue to the Berrygrove roundabout is to remain closed today until those investigations are concluded.”