Police in Delft are investigating a string of violent incidents in the city, but say they do not yet know if the attacks are connected.

The latest incidents took place around 4.30am on Tuesday morning. ‘I heard one burst of automatic gun fire followed by what I think was a scooter drive away,’ one witness told DutchNews.nl. ‘I called the police and they came, put up privacy sheets and took pictures.’

Police say two properties – a clothing shop and a café on the Molslaan and Beestenmarkt – were hit by gunfire in two separate shootings. Shops in the neighbourhood remain closed and several streets have been closed off while the investigation continues.

Delft mayor Marja van Bijsterveldt has visited the scene and has been talking to shop owners and officials, Delft city council said.

Tuesday morning’s shootings are similar to two other attacks in the city last month.

On May 8, coffee shop The Future and a tanning studio on the Peperstraat in Delft were shot at in a similar attack. On May 17, The Future was also targeted in a hand grenade attack, as was a second coffee shop called The Game. According to local media, both coffee shops have the same owner.

In April, a 55-year-old Iranian national narrowly avoided an attempt on his life when a gunman opened fire as he stepped out of his car.

The Telegraaf said last month that The Hague police were investigating if there was a link between that attempt and a string of other gangland killings in the region which are thought to be the work of a Turkish drugs gang.