To put it simply, this is the subculture of the gang and, as such, is nothing new for inner-city London. But the gang culture of today is perhaps more disturbing than ever because of the extreme youth of those it attracts - and the extreme youth of some of its victims. In Peckham, where the black population is the majority, both gang members and their victims are usually black. What we are seeing is more extremes of violence among teenagers and young kids. We are seeing extreme lifestyles and a willingness to use weapons.
Nobody disputes that gang culture is spreading here.
Not far from where Damilola bled to death, another teenager was stabbed and killed just a week ago. Seven people were injured at a nightclub shooting along the same stretch of road about a month ago. Andre had recently been excluded from school. The latest statistics for the area show that while crime in general is down, violent crime is rising. Those who are black and excluded feel there is nothing in mainstream culture for them.