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| Police patrol gun murder streets | Police patrol gun murder streets |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Armed police were again deployed on the streets of south London overnight in response to a string of gun killings. | Armed police were again deployed on the streets of south London overnight in response to a string of gun killings. |
| Patrols have been stepped up in Lambeth and Southwark following the murders of three teenagers in less than two weeks. | Patrols have been stepped up in Lambeth and Southwark following the murders of three teenagers in less than two weeks. |
| Operation Neon involved officers searching suspicious vehicles. They made some arrests, but it is not known if they are linked to the killings. | Operation Neon involved officers searching suspicious vehicles. They made some arrests, but it is not known if they are linked to the killings. |
| Earlier, the father of a teenager shot dead in his Clapham home appealed for help in catching the killers. | Earlier, the father of a teenager shot dead in his Clapham home appealed for help in catching the killers. |
| Tommy Cox said his son 15-year-old son Billy was "not perfect" but he was "dearly loved as a son and brother". | Tommy Cox said his son 15-year-old son Billy was "not perfect" but he was "dearly loved as a son and brother". |
| We need to make people face up to their responsibilities as parents and families John Reid href="/1/hi/england/manchester/6370825.stm">Teenager shot in the back class="" href="/1/hi/england/london/6365187.stm">Guns become 'status symbol' Police fight back against guns | |
| Billy was found dying by his sister, who had rushed inside the maisonette in Fenwick Place after hearing a "loud bang" just after 1530 GMT. | Billy was found dying by his sister, who had rushed inside the maisonette in Fenwick Place after hearing a "loud bang" just after 1530 GMT. |
| Elizabeth, 13, tried to administer first aid but could do nothing to save him, police said. Billy was later pronounced dead at the scene. | Elizabeth, 13, tried to administer first aid but could do nothing to save him, police said. Billy was later pronounced dead at the scene. |
| His shooting followed the deaths of James Andre Smartt-Ford, 16, and Michael Dosunmu, 15, who were gunned down in Streatham and Peckham respectively. | His shooting followed the deaths of James Andre Smartt-Ford, 16, and Michael Dosunmu, 15, who were gunned down in Streatham and Peckham respectively. |
| Tougher sentences | Tougher sentences |
| Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has set up a task force, which includes armed officers on the streets, in response to the shootings. | Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has set up a task force, which includes armed officers on the streets, in response to the shootings. |
| Home Secretary John Reid also announced he was investigating handing out tougher sentences to tackle gun crime and gang culture. | |
| The problem lies within families and communities, and so does the solution David Cameron 'We knew it would erupt' Cameron urges control | The problem lies within families and communities, and so does the solution David Cameron 'We knew it would erupt' Cameron urges control |
| "I have also asked my lawyers to look at ways of possibly strengthening legislation and, where appropriate, sentencing," he said, following a meeting with MPs and senior police officers. | |
| "We also need to make people face up to their responsibilities as parents and families and last but not least we need to empower local communities." | "We also need to make people face up to their responsibilities as parents and families and last but not least we need to empower local communities." |
| But Professor Rod Morgan, who last month resigned as head of the Youth Justice Board, said tougher sentences would be of "very little relevance". | |
| "The Home Secretary is under enormous pressure to make symbolic statements and gestures," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. | |
| "But in all honesty, deterrents only work if people are likely to be caught The real deterrent is the prospect of getting caught. | |
| "The subsequent punishment, whether it's three years, five years or more, is of very little relevance in terms of deterring the behaviour." | |
| 'Early intervention' | |
| He said police work on the ground to help prevent the problems from escalating was the most important action needed. | |
| Labour MP for Vauxhall Kate Hoey also felt that early intervention was the key. | |
| "Sometimes the police don't get involved early enough," she told the programme. | |
| "There are an awful lot of youngsters, really even primary school age sometimes in small gangs not carrying guns but involving themselves in anti-social behaviour on our estates." | |
Have you been affected by gun crime? If you have anything you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below. Your messages will not be published. | Have you been affected by gun crime? If you have anything you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below. Your messages will not be published. |