16/02/2007

Gun victim’s father urges public to support police

The father of a murdered teenager has urged the public to support the police to help find his son’s killers.

Billy Cox, 15, was shot dead in his home in south London, on Wednesday.

His father, Tommy, told reporters he was “very grateful” for the support provided by the police.

Referring to the murders of two other teenagers in the area, he said: “I’ve been watching the news about the two other boys shot and thought – these are only kids.”

“They don’t deserve that. The way they get hold of guns now is unbelievable.

“I want everyone to get behind the police 100 per cent. If you have anything to say, tell the police. We and all his family will miss him so much.”

Tommy, a local builder, said his son was “not perfect”, but was “dearly loved as a son and brother.”

The boy’s sister Elizabeth, aged 13, rushed inside the house at Fenwick Place after she heard a “loud ban”.

She attempted to administer first aid, but according to the police, was unable to revive him.

Tony Blair spoke at a Labour conference in Scotland. He told delegates “this tragedy is not a metaphor for the state of British society.”

“It is a specific problem among a specific criminal culture. It will require a specific response and we will set out details in the coming weeks.”

Conservative leader David Cameron, however, described British society as “badly broken” in an interview with GMTV.

He said: “That’s what our society’s now come to – teenagers shooting other teenagers in their homes. It is deeply depressing.”

He also urged tougher sentences for those carrying guns or using guns. This news comes as armed police are patrolling the streets in the Lambeth and Southwark areas of south London, where the murders took place.

(JM)

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