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Armed police to tackle shootings Armed police to tackle shootings
(30 minutes later)
Armed officers will be patrolling the streets as a part of a new taskforce set up to tackle a spate of fatal shootings in south London.Armed officers will be patrolling the streets as a part of a new taskforce set up to tackle a spate of fatal shootings in south London.
The move, announced by Met Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair, follows the killing of Billy Cox, 15, in his home in Clapham North, on Wednesday.The move, announced by Met Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair, follows the killing of Billy Cox, 15, in his home in Clapham North, on Wednesday.
He was the third teenager to have been shot dead in south London in the last two weeks. He was the third teenager to have been shot dead in south London in the past two weeks.
Sir Ian said the plan involved armed officers patrolling gun crime hotspots.Sir Ian said the plan involved armed officers patrolling gun crime hotspots.
Police were called to the house after a relative discovered the teenager's body. Officers said the back door of the house was open and there was no sign of forced entry.Police were called to the house after a relative discovered the teenager's body. Officers said the back door of the house was open and there was no sign of forced entry.
On 6 February, 15-year-old Michael Dosunmu was shot dead in the bedroom of his Peckham home. A man has been arrested in connection with the killing.On 6 February, 15-year-old Michael Dosunmu was shot dead in the bedroom of his Peckham home. A man has been arrested in connection with the killing.
There was no evidence that all of these crimes are linked Met Commissioner Sir Ian Blair 'We knew it would erupt again' How can police tackle gun crime?There was no evidence that all of these crimes are linked Met Commissioner Sir Ian Blair 'We knew it would erupt again' How can police tackle gun crime?
Three days earlier, 16-year-old James Andre Smartt-Ford died after he was shot at Streatham Ice Arena.Three days earlier, 16-year-old James Andre Smartt-Ford died after he was shot at Streatham Ice Arena.
Sir Ian Blair met senior officers from the Met's Specialist Crime Directorate to discuss the recent shootings on Thursday morning before announcing the new taskforce.Sir Ian Blair met senior officers from the Met's Specialist Crime Directorate to discuss the recent shootings on Thursday morning before announcing the new taskforce.
It will run alongside Operation Trident, which investigates gun crime in London's Afro-Caribbean community.It will run alongside Operation Trident, which investigates gun crime in London's Afro-Caribbean community.
Sir Ian Blair said his force was "absolutely determined" to stop the situation escalating any further.Sir Ian Blair said his force was "absolutely determined" to stop the situation escalating any further.
See a map of the shootings See a map of the shootings
He said gun crime in London had fallen by 14% in the last year, but he admitted this was "no comfort to the families involved in the five murders". He said gun crime in London had fallen by 14% in the past year, but he admitted this was "no comfort to the families involved in the five murders".
"There was no evidence that all of these crimes are linked," Sir Ian said."There was no evidence that all of these crimes are linked," Sir Ian said.
But he added: "There are some evidential leads that link some of them.But he added: "There are some evidential leads that link some of them.
"What they are is entirely unacceptable to the communities of London.""What they are is entirely unacceptable to the communities of London."
Role models
He added that a "new trend" was emerging of teenagers being involved in killings and serious violent crime.
A number of factors were behind it, he said, only some of which were to do with policing.
The lack of role models in some households is an issue, he admitted. "Some of these young people have got very little connection to stable community lives," he added.
Sir Ian said there was a growing recognition in the force about the proportion of young people now involved in serious crime.
Sir Ian has also suggested to the home secretary that the age limit for the five year mandatory sentence for carrying guns should be lowered from 21 to 17.Sir Ian has also suggested to the home secretary that the age limit for the five year mandatory sentence for carrying guns should be lowered from 21 to 17.
He said the home secretary "agreed to look at it sympathetically".He said the home secretary "agreed to look at it sympathetically".
Harriet Harman, the MP for Camberwell and Peckham, said: "It's very important that those who get involved in these crimes know that they are not more powerful than the law.Harriet Harman, the MP for Camberwell and Peckham, said: "It's very important that those who get involved in these crimes know that they are not more powerful than the law.
"I think there is this sense of a sort of culture of impunity amongst the gangs, that they think they are more powerful than the criminal justice system.""I think there is this sense of a sort of culture of impunity amongst the gangs, that they think they are more powerful than the criminal justice system."
"I think that's what's motivating young people, where a gun has become almost a status symbol demanding respect and power.""I think that's what's motivating young people, where a gun has become almost a status symbol demanding respect and power."
A Home Office spokesman said Home Secretary John Reid will be meeting with MPs from south London to discuss the issue, but no date has been fixed yet. A Home Office spokesman said Home Secretary John Reid will be meeting MPs from south London to discuss the issue, but no date has yet been fixed.
TEENAGE SHOOTINGS 1. 14 Feb: Billy Cox, 15, shot dead at his home 2. 6 Feb: Michael Dosunmu, 15, shot dead at his home3. 3 Feb: James Andre Smartt-Ford, 16, dies after being shot at the Streatham Ice ArenaTEENAGE SHOOTINGS 1. 14 Feb: Billy Cox, 15, shot dead at his home 2. 6 Feb: Michael Dosunmu, 15, shot dead at his home3. 3 Feb: James Andre Smartt-Ford, 16, dies after being shot at the Streatham Ice Arena
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