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Murdered boy mural to be removed Murdered boy mural to be removed
(about 1 hour later)
An 8ft-high mural in memory of murdered teenager Billy Cox is to be painted over by council workmen.An 8ft-high mural in memory of murdered teenager Billy Cox is to be painted over by council workmen.
The artwork was created by a professional graffiti artist yards from 15-year-old Billy's home in Clapham North, London, where he was shot dead.The artwork was created by a professional graffiti artist yards from 15-year-old Billy's home in Clapham North, London, where he was shot dead.
The decision has angered some of his friends who want the mural to stay.The decision has angered some of his friends who want the mural to stay.
But Lambeth Council said after talks with youngsters it had been agreed a permanent memorial will be made available in a nearby play area. Local residents will meet council officials later this month to discuss moving the mural to a more permanent location nearby.
Spate of shootingsSpate of shootings
The council said the tenants' association had made it clear residents did not want a constant reminder of the tragedy as they go about their daily lives.The council said the tenants' association had made it clear residents did not want a constant reminder of the tragedy as they go about their daily lives.
A statement said the site of the current mural was a temporary agreement and that people would be able to leave messages on a wall in Willington Road Youth Play Area.A statement said the site of the current mural was a temporary agreement and that people would be able to leave messages on a wall in Willington Road Youth Play Area.
It's important that we send out the right message to young people Pastor Les Isaac The council has acted with indecent haste in wanting to remove the mural so soon after Billy's funeral. Brian Parker, local resident
Pastor Les Isaac, who works with youngsters on the Fenwick Estate, said there were mixed feelings among the community. But Brian Parker, ex-secretary of the local residents' association, said: "The mural is opposite my window. I see it every time I open my blinds. There have been no complaints about this.
"There is shock and grief that a young life has been taken and people are trying to express that. "The council has acted with indecent haste in wanting to remove the mural so soon after Billy's funeral. They are being a bit insensitive."
"Others are saying the boy wasn't a saint and what does it say to those who are on a fringe of a bad lifestyle." Mr Parker now hopes a memorial fund can be set up to finance a fully functioning computer room at a nearby community centre.
He said that there needed to be a period of reflection and discussions among the community before any decision was taken.
"It's important that we send out the right message to young people," the pastor said.
Billy, 15, died when he was shot in the chest inside the ground floor maisonette in Fenwick Place on 14 February.Billy, 15, died when he was shot in the chest inside the ground floor maisonette in Fenwick Place on 14 February.
He was the third teenager killed in south London during a two-week spate of shootings.He was the third teenager killed in south London during a two-week spate of shootings.