Christians Appeal for Joint Effort to Tackle Gun Crime

In the wake of three fatal shootings in south London in the past two weeks, Christians are calling for all members of the community, black and white, to work together to stop the killings.

Christian leaders have expressed their sorrow at the deaths of 16-year-old James Andre Smartt-Ford, shot dead at a Streatham ice rink on February 3, 15-year-old Michael Dosunmu, shot dead at his home in Peckham on February 6, and now 15-year-old Billy Cox, shot dead at his Clapham home on Wednesday. One man was arrested Thursday over Michael's murder, which police believe was a case of mistaken identity.

Rev Katei Kirby, the Chief Executive Officer of the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance, said that although the recent shootings have happened in the black community, everyone must work together to tackle the problem.

"It is especially sad that the victims of these shootings are so young and our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends. It is clear that more needs to be done to both protect our young people and prevent a rise in gun crime that seems to have its roots in a culture of fear and disrespect for another human life.

"We call on church leaders, and other community leaders, to do all they can to make sure these tragedies do not happen again."

Dr R David Muir, Public Policy Director of the Evangelical Alliance, and a former Deputy Chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority, welcomed the announcement of more armed police in London.

He said: "Churches already do an extensive amount of youth work, and are helping to combat gun crime through initiatives such as Street Pastors, Gunz Down, and Mothers Against Guns. The African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance and the Evangelical Alliance UK, are calling on churches to redouble their efforts to engage with and reach out to young people."

He also called on communities to work together with the police to solve the gun crime crisis.

"The police should be commended for the work they are doing in investigating these recent crimes and offering reassurance to the community.

"But they can't do it alone," he said.

"It is critical that all communities co-operate with the police and that churches and the criminal justice agencies work together to devise effective preventative strategies to support vulnerable young people and families."

Even officers well experienced in gun crime in the south London area have been "shocked and appalled" by the young age of the latest victims, as fears grow that gun crime among teenagers in south London is now out of control.

The murder of Billy Cox has prompted Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair to convene an urgent meeting of the most senior members of the police force to discuss the shootings at Scotland Yard. He assured that "resources and expertise from across the Met" would be put into a special task force which will focus on solving the crimes and taking control of the gun crime problem in the affected communities.