A TEENAGER who appeared in court today (October 9) charged in connection with an incident in which a care worker was killed, has been remanded in custody.

The 17-year-old boy was arrested on Saturday (October 6) in relation to an incident on October 2 in which 26-year-old Magda Pniewska, from Poland, was killed by a single bullet wound.

Ms Pniewska was caught in the crossfire outside Stunell House, John Williams Close, New Cross, as two men opened fire at one another as she made her way home across a car park.

The boy appeared at Balham Youth Court this morning (October 9) charged with the attempted murder of an unknown man and possessing a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.

He has been remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing at the Old Bailey on October 23.

A second man arrested in connection with the killing has been bailed to return to a south London police station later this month.

Three other men and a woman were held the day after Ms Pniewska's death.

One of the men has been bailed by police while the other three were released without charge.

Police are appealing for witnesses and are keen to speak with anyone who saw a red VW Polo which left the scene and was later found abandoned.

If you have any information, call the incident room on 020 8247 4553 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

  • Officers will conduct a one-week anniversary appeal at the scene of the shooting this evening between 5.30-7pm, speaking to members of the public and distributing appeal leaflets.

Wake up to gang crime

A COMMUNITY group says the murder of Magda Pniewska should serve as a wake-up call to police and local authorities.

New Cross Gate Safer Neighbourhood Partnership chairman Dorian Williams said: "The killing of Magda demonstrates together we the community, the police and the council can and must do more."

The partnership deals with anti-social behaviour and is made up of residents, voluntary organisations, councillors, residents' association representatives and the area's police safer neighbourhood team.

Mr Williams says there are eight known gangs which operate within the ward.

He said: "These are youngsters with no social mobility who get involved through fear and intimidation.

"By using the tools and powers the police and council have, they could be doing a lot more.

"There are operations which could be done to covertly tag these gangs and identify them."

Mr Williams wants to see more high visibility policing, work with schools and the use of civil orders to restrict youths' movements.

He said: "There are no overnight solutions and this is a problem which needs a holistic approach.

"It also needs the police and council to realise they need to work together to target the gangs."

A Met police spokesman said it was already making moves to combat gang problems in London.

This includes the Five Boroughs' Gangs Project, a joint initiative with councils in Croydon, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark, the Home Office, the Probation Service and crime and disorder reduction partnerships.

She said: "One example of its work is a mediation service, which is being developed to resolve conflicts which are often behind gang-related violence before they escalate into a critical incident or murder.

"Other operations and multi-agency initiatives have been launched across the capital under Operation Curb, the Met's London response to youth violence."