By George Ruddock, Gleaner Writer
Commander Alan Brown, head of Operation Trident (left) and Lee Jasper, chairman of the Trident Independent Advisory Group (right). - CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
LONDON:
FOLLOWING ON a dramatic increase in gang-related shootings on the streets of London last month, the Metropolitan Police's Operation Trident Squad has launched a new advertising campaign which aims to encourage the public to work with police, and not let guns and drugs ruin their community.
July has been described as one of the busiest months for the Trident Squad, with a record five murders and more than 20 shootings. Up to June this year, there were 11 murders and 74 non-fatal shootings fuelled by rivalries among crack/cocaine gangs involving young men fighting to protect their drug-dealing turf.
Commander Alan Brown, head of Operation Trident, which was set up two years ago to combat black-on-black violence in London, said the new campaign is designed to create a hostile environment for the perpetrators of gun crime and will target six London boroughs: Brent, Hackney, Haringey, Lambeth, Newham and Southwark.
Speaking this week at a press launch in Brixton, South London, Commander Brown noted that since April 2001, Trident has expanded its operation to investigate murders as well as other shootings which include retribution and reprisals attacks, all a spin-off of the drugs war.
"This new approach led to the formation of the Trident Independent Advisory Group and forged closer links with the black community, allowing Trident to gain a better understanding of the scale of the problem. The new ad campaign is designed to create a hostile environment for the offender and make sure there is no community in which they can exist by intimidation.
"We are also asking the community to turn away from guns and drugs and turn away from the people who try to bring drugs and guns into the community. If you don't, there is a cost of the future generation of young children and young adults growing up in inner-city areas blighted by crime. Now, more than ever, we need the help of the community to stop this cycle of violence," he said.
Det. Chief Superintendent Andy Sellers provided information and statistics which revealed that in the first six months of thisyear Trident officers arrested nearly 200 suspects, made 21 seizures of class A drugs and recovered 45 firearms.
However, figures show that since January there has been a 42 per cent increase in all shootings over 2001. These include a 30 per cent increase in murder, an 11 per cent increase in attempted murder and a 77 per cent increase in other shootings where people have been injured but there was no evidence of attempted murder. Of the 11 murders reported so far this year, five have been committed in July alone.
Mr. Sellers pointed out Brent, Hackney and Lambeth as the top three 'hot spot' boroughs where most shootings occurred. He also noted that most shootings occurred in or around dwellings and crack houses; and, in some cases, there were drive-by shootings.
Most importantly, Mr. Sellers noted that the majority of victims and people carrying out these shootings are British-born. "Our figures show that 60 per cent are home-grown, 30 per cent Jamaican-born and 10 per cent Africans, who are now getting more and more involved in the drug trade. There is a belief that all the shootings are carried out by Jamaicans, but statistics show that while they figure prominently, it is the British-born blacks who are the leading offenders."
He also noted that not all shootings are drug-related. There have been significant increases in gun crimes relating to domestic disputes or arguments, usually in nightclubs or pubs where guns are used to settle disagreements. Lee Jasper, chairman of the Trident Independent Advisory Group, said:
"Guns and crack/cocaine are becoming increasingly synonymous and this advertising campaign, produced in partnership with Operation Trident and the Independent Advisory Group, emphasises the link between the two. I hope this campaign will increase the sense of community responsibility for the continuing incidents of extreme gun violence associated with crack cocaine."
The campaign posters will feature black youngsters with the messages: 'Turn away from guns and drugs' and 'Don't let the gunmen prejudice our children's futures'.
