Cameron speaks out against ‘gang culture’

Conservative leader David Cameron has described British society as “badly broken” following the shootings of three teenagers in south London.

Referring to the murder of 15-year-old Billy Cox, he told GMTV the situation was “deeply depressing”.

He said: “Like everyone else, I was just shocked and appalled and deeply saddened when I watched on the television the pictures of that 15-year-old boy’s body being taken from the house.

“That’s what our society’s now come to – teenagers shooting other teenagers in their homes at point blank range. It is deeply depressing.”

He continued: “This goes beyond any one policy or any one government. I think what we need is to recognise our society is badly broken and we need to make some big changes, starting now.”

Following this month’s third fatal shooting in south London, armed police are patrolling the streets of Southwark and Lambeth, where the murders took place.

James Andre Smartt-Ford, 16 was shot and killed at Streatham Ice Arena, and three days later churchgoing schoolboy Michael Dosunmu, 15, was murdered while in his bedroom of his Peckham home.

Police have stated they believe there are no connections to the three deaths, however they do believe the gun culture among London teenagers is becoming an increasing problem.

Cameron continued: “That, I think, is what’s at the heart of it. Yes, we need to stop the guns coming into our country, and we would introduce a border police. Yes, we need to have tough sentences for those who carry guns or deal in guns or use guns. But that’s not enough, and we know it’s not enough, so let’s start the big culture change of encouraging responsibility in our country.”

(JM)