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Police patrol gun murder streets Man dies after new gun killing
(20 minutes later)
Armed police were again deployed on the streets of south London overnight in response to a string of gun killings. A man has been shot dead in east London, days after a spate of gun killings in the city.
Patrols have been stepped up in Lambeth and Southwark following the murders of three teenagers in less than two weeks. The man, in his 20s, was found by police with fatal gun wounds early on Saturday as he sat in a car in Hackney.
Operation Neon involved officers searching suspicious vehicles. They made some arrests, but it is not known if they are linked to the killings. His death comes days after three teenagers were killed in south London, including 15-year-old Billy Cox, the second youth to die in his own home.
Earlier, the father of a teenager shot dead in his Clapham home appealed for help in catching the killers. Armed police were deployed on the streets near Billy's home overnight and were searching suspicious vehicles.
Tommy Cox said his son 15-year-old son Billy was "not perfect" but he was "dearly loved as a son and brother". The latest incident in London comes as police in Manchester investigate a shooting of another teenager, who was injured in the back in the Moss Side area of the city.
Following the killing in Hackney, police are searching for two black men seen making off towards Digby Road.
We need to make people face up to their responsibilities as parents and families John Reid Teenager shot in the back Guns become 'status symbol' Police fight back against gunsWe need to make people face up to their responsibilities as parents and families John Reid Teenager shot in the back 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. The victim was sat in a Fiat Punto in Homerton High Street. He was later taken to Homerton Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Elizabeth, 13, tried to administer first aid but could do nothing to save him, police said. Billy was later pronounced dead at the scene. Officers from the Metropolitan's Operation Trident unit are investigating the incident.
His shooting followed the deaths of James Andre Smartt-Ford, 16, and Michael Dosunmu, 15, who were gunned down in Streatham and Peckham respectively. And in Lambeth and Southwark officers, working under Operation Neon, made several arrests during the patrols, though it is not clear whether they are linked to the shootings in the south of the city.
On Friday, Billy's father Tommy appealed for help in catching the killers of his son, who died in their Clapham home.
Tougher sentencesTougher 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. Mr Cox said his son was "not perfect" but he was "dearly loved as a son and brother".
Home Secretary John Reid also announced he was investigating handing out tougher sentences to tackle gun crime and gang culture. His shooting followed the deaths of James Andre Smartt-Ford, 16, and Michael Dosunmu, 15, who were gunned down in Streatham and Peckham respectively.
In response to the killings, Home Secretary John Reid 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 controlThe 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."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".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."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."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.""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.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."
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