Between 3-6 February this year, three black men including a fifteen year old boy were killed in Peckham, south London. Despite huge investment and overall falling crime statistics, Police admit that gang membership is on the increase. Indeed, the latest anti-gun campaign targets 11-16 year olds.
Walking around Peckham, you can see that much has changed in recent years. The area has witnessed one of the largest redevelopment programmes in western Europe. £300 million has been spent on building 2,000 new homes, a sports centre, a leisure centre and an award winning library. New public and private housing stand side by side in attractive cream brick. Wide roads are designed to take tramlines that will allow people to get easily into central London.
Looming over the neighbourhood, however, are huge water towers that once formed part of the notorious North Peckham estate. Designed to separate people from cars, the walkways in the sky soon became unliveable and un-policeable. By the time of the murder of Damilola Taylor in November 2000 the estate was already being demolished. Six years on, Peckham had hoped that it had lost the ghetto image.
However, the events of this month have put Peckham back in the headlines. On Saturday 3 February Javorie Crichton was stabbed to death. The next day Chamberlain Gwemba was shot dead and another man wounded. The following Tuesday, gunmen stormed into the home of 15 year old Michael Dosunmu and shot him dead as he slept. Police suspect this last incident was a tragic case of mistaken identity.
In response, a community meeting was called this week. Over 250 attended with others unable to get in, listening in the car park outside. The meeting was chaired by local community activist, Decima Francis. Decima runs the From Boyhood to Manhood Foundation, hosted by the Trinity College Centre on the Camberwell/Peckham border.
The project has an 80% success rate in reintegrating excluded young black men into mainstream education. Knowing many in the room, she was able to chair the meeting with authority and a prophetic air that allowed her to challenge questioners- “What will you do for Peckham?”
Local people spoke of the two sets of lives being lived in Peckham, hard working day people who take their children to school and go to work- often holding down several jobs. And the night people whose ‘day’ starts at 11.00pm. Decima spoke of her own Pentecostal faith and invited people to pray for Peckham between 11.00 and 4.00. Judging by the response, there were many people in the room that pray.
Whilst a few questioned the Police and some called for investment the comments that gained the most support spoke of the need for good parenting, positive role models and a commitment to education.
“You have to support young people out there in being positive. To be positive about who you are and what you can contribute. I believe in Peckham but you have got to be pro-active with these young people and let them know that they have a positive alterative.”
An older lady spoke of having been burgled as she slept. Seemingly close to tears, she pleaded “I beg the parents to look after their children and pray for them, in Jesus name I pray that they will not go astray. Look after your children!”
A teenage girl said, “Parents- don’t be naïve. Think about what your children are doing. Especially if you are religious, while you are praying your kids are out on the street. Where are the parents? They should be taking an active interest in their children’s lives.”
A mother summed-up the views of many as she said, “It is hard being a single mum and when you have to give your address and people know that you are from SE15 the handbags go away and people look at you differently.”
Reflecting on the recent killings she said, “There but for the grace of God go I and every mother who has a son.”
With thanks to BBC News for background information
Video from stoptheguns.org
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