POLICE believe a gangland kneecapping and double abduction in Glasgow may be linked.

Detectives are investigating whether the shooting of a man, who was later dumped by the roadside in East Kilbride, and a double abduction in Partick a week later are connected.

The 45-year-old man, dressed in a white boiler suit, was shot in the legs and dumped near James Hamilton Heritage Loch on Stewartfield Way, near to Stewartfield Crescent on March 13.

Police revealed the man had suffered gunshot wounds to his knees in the attack.

Less than one week later, two men were abducted, attacked and dumped in the Partick area. One of the men, aged 31, was the victim of an attempted murder during the abduction. A 39-year-old man was also abducted.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Boyd, from Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team, said they launched Operation Draken "in response to two incidents which may be linked."

He said: "Inquires so far have revealed that an address in Barnsley may be of significance in light of these inquiries which are ongoing at present."

The two men were abducted and dumped near Highburgh Road at its junction with Byres Road in the Partick area of Glasgow on March 19.

DCI Tom McKean, of Greater Glasgow Division, said: "Since the incident was reported to police, extensive enquiries have been carried out by officers to establish the circumstances surrounding this attempted murder, and also to establish where the attack took place.

"Officers are continuing to study CCTV footage in an effort to gather as much information on this incident as possible, and are carrying out enquiries in the local area."

A force spokeswoman said no arrests had been made.