Thamesmead murder estate 'being controlled by gangs'

Neighbours have spoken out following the brutal murder of 25-year-old Olamide Fasina who was chased into a Wolvercote Road alley by a gang armed, according to witnesses, with a knife up to 8ins long.

Mr Fasina, known to friends as Ben or by the streetname Trigger, "crawled for help" after the afternoon attack last Tuesday, which may have been sparked by a £400 debt.

But, despite efforts to save him, the Erith man died at the scene from a single stab wound to the heart.

No one has been arrested over the murder yet and residents say pals of Mr Fasina have been driving around in cars looking for the culprits themselves.

Neighbour Grant Thompson, 43, who was brought up in the area, said: "There have always been some sort of gangs in Thamesmead as far back as I can remember but never like this where they're stabbing each other in broad daylight.

"There are places in Thamesmead where people just don't go because of the gangs. 

"There just seems to be groups of them everywhere and, if you do have to pass them, then they seem to eye you up and down looking for any signs of weakness like piranhas.

"If they see a weakness then you are getting mugged at knife point for your phone, money and anything else that they want.

"And why are they doing this? Because they can as there's no police policing this estate."

He went on: "All I and many people want is just to open the front door and feel safe to go out."

The recent murder is reminiscent of a previous slaying in the Tavy Bridge area back in 2009 when innocent 22-year-old Moses Nteyoho was ambushed and killed by an armed gang of teens. After that killing, just like after this one, police held community meetings to provide reassurance. 

Murdered: Moses Nteyoho

More recently, a 14-year-old was stabbed and beaten with an iron bar in Binsey Walk.

One neighbour, too scared of reprisals to be named, said: "There's gang activity here all the time, always fights in the street cage, dodgy cars turning up in groups, loads of drug dealing and there have been a few guns around. 

"The police do not do anything. We never see them at all. We never see police on foot or cars. It's horrible, I and a few other residents do not feel safe on our own streets."

Anyone who saw either the build-up or aftermath of the murder is asked to call police on 020 8721 4868, dial 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

"We need residents to help us."

A spokesman for the Met said police remained determined to keep Thamesmead a safe place and local Sergeant Luke Thomas and his team were working hard to ensure those bringing disruption to the area are targeted and arrested.

They said in the past week, the Thamesmead East Safer Neighbourhoods team raided a Kale Road property, uncovering a large amount of cannabis, amphetamine and drug paraphernalia and arresting one person for possession with intent to supply.

Officers also recovered £13,000 believed to be proceeds of crime after a warrant in Lensbury Avenue together with stolen goods.

Police also conducted a number of stops in Coralline Walk after information was received that people were buying drugs.

Sergeant Thomas said: "Officers from the local Thamesmead East Safer Neighbourhoods team would like to hear from anyone who may have information about any crimes related to Wolvercote Road and its surrounding areas.

"It is imperative that those with information about drug dealing, anti-social behaviour, cars driving at high speed or violence in Thamesmead get in touch with us - all information will be treated in the strictest confidence.

"We need local residents to help us."

Erith and Thamesmead MP Teresa Pearce added: "The family and the wider community have been devastated by the terrible murder of Olamide Fasina.

"I would urge anyone who saw anything or who knows anything to contact the police or Crimestoppers.

"It's important that the culprits are brought to justice.

"Thamesmead belongs to the residents of Thamesmead not the small minority who think they are above the law." 

Call Sgt Thomas on 020 8721 2049 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.