A GRIEVING mother has blamed a "wall of silence" for four unsolved murders which happened within a few hundred yards of each other.

Nathan Williams, aged 24, was shot dead in his VW Golf car in Ludwick Mews on New Cross' notorious Woodpecker estate at 1.30am on July 28 last year.

But four other men have also been killed on the same estate within the last five years, and the Met has only managed to solve one of them.

Speaking exclusively to New Shopper, Anna-Maria Williams said: "In cases like the murder of my son Nathan, the police can be faced with a wall of silence.

News Shopper: NEW CROSS: Family pay tribute to shot father-of-one Nathan Williams

"If a community remains silent when someone is killed it probably gives the murderers more control and allows them to kill again.

"It is time for all hard working decent people to find the courage to take back control of their communities and stop allowing these murderers to control our lives."

She added: "It's no surprise so many murders remain unsolved. The community in that area needs to speak out if they have seen something or heard something - even if they're scared."

Nobody has ever been charged with Mr Williams' murder and the Met has not ruled out the possibility it was a case of mistaken identity.

Meanwhile no one has been convicted for the murders of Orville Davidson, Peter Buahin and Jason Gale-Bent - who were all killed on the same housing estate.

A spokesman for the Met said: "Our rate for solving murders is very good and so it is a coincidence there are four unsolved murders in the same place.

News Shopper: Tributes: The scene of the crime a few days after Nathan's killing

"There is no connection between these killings and there are no new leads."

A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of Mr William's murder in October last year. He was bailed and is due to appear before police by the end of the month.

Anyone with information on Mr Williams' killing should call police on 0208 247 4652, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

NATHAN WILLIAMS POLICE REWARDED BY MOTHER

At a ceremony run by charity Mothers Against Murder And Aggression (MAMAA), Anna-Maria Williams presented a trophy to Met Detective Constables Toby Shear-Smith and Ian Gower who are working on the Nathan Williams case as family liaison officers.

Speaking after the ceremony, which was designed to show support to the families and friends of the victims of crime, she said: "They have taken on this challenge and have remained committed in finding my son's killers.

"I felt the dedication they have shown should be recognised."

News Shopper: Peter Buahin was shot dead yards from his home  LC4900

NEW CROSS: A HOTSPOT OF DEADLY VIOLENCE

September 8, 2009 - Perseus Coore, 65, stabbed to death in Filton Court

July 28, 2009 - Nathan Williams, 24, shot dead in Ludwick Mews (Woodpecker Estate)* UNSOLVED

April 24, 2009 - Johnson Ndjoli, 19, run over, shot and stabbed in Sanford Street. He died eight months later (Woodpecker Estate)*

June 29, 2008 - French students Gabriel Ferez and Laurent Bonomo stabbed 244 times in Sterling Gardens

October 2, 2007 - Care worker Magda Pniewska, 26, dies after being caught in crossfire in John Williams Close

April 15, 2007 - Xing Xing Xie stabbed and beheaded in Knoyle Street

September 17, 2006 - Jason Gale-Bent stabbed in Woodpecker Path (Woodpecker Estate)* UNSOLVED

July 25, 2005 - Peter Buahin, 23, shot dead in Woodpecker Road (Woodpecker Estate)* UNSOLVED

March 28, 2005 - Orville Davidson, 25, shot dead in Bawtree Road (Woodpecker Estate)* UNSOLVED