Brazilian police have reportedly identified two suspected gang members they want to speak to after a British mum was shot in front of her family.

On Monday we reported that Eloise Dixon, 46, who was born in Dartford and grew up in Gravesend, had been shot in the stomach after accidentally straying into a slum while looking for water.

Her husband Max, who was driving, and her three young children witnessed the horrific attack.

Now Brazilian police have told the Estadao agency they have identified two suspects, both of whom were already known to the authorities, the Telegraph reported.

Police officer Bruno Gilaberte, who is leading the investigation, didn't name the suspects but reportedly said the pair had previously been investigated for belonging to a gang.

The officer also revealed Mrs Dixon was recovering in hospital in Rio de Janeiro after surgery but said she had so far been too scared to give a formal statement.

He reportedly told Estadao: "She is able to talk but she is refusing to make a formal statement.

"We have left a questionnaire for Eloise and her husband at the hospital. I think they are still afraid."

Mrs Dixon, who went to Northfleet School for Girls and West Kent College, Tonbridge, but now lives near Bromley, is said to have ended up in the favela - a Brazilian shanty town or slum - after a miscommunication with a local.

The family reportedly asked where they could buy water and ended up in a slum area called Agua Santa. Agua is the Portuguese word for water.

Local media also said Brazilian police believed the family were shot after they failed to understand warnings being shouted at them, in the country's native language, to leave the area.