A former police officer who spent more than a decade on the beat in London has said the latest gun attack in south London shows parts of the city have become ‘akin to the Bronx’.
Norman Brennan, who retired from the City of London Police force in 2009 after 31 years, said a move away from community-focused policing has contributed to “turf wars” and “lawless violence” on the streets.
His comments come after a takeaway delivery driver and a drill rapper were killed in a gun attack just before 8pm on Railton Road, Brixton on Sunday night.
A police spokesperson said detectives believed two cars were driving in the Railton Road area when one of the cars was in collision with a moped, before further colliding with parked vehicles.
"A man from the car involved in the collision got out of the vehicle and was pursued by a male, armed with a firearm, from the second car," they said. "The fleeing male was shot and he died at the scene."
Police have launched a manhunt for the killers.
Deliveroo worker Guilherme Messias da Silva, 21, was dropping off his last order of the day when he was hit by a car involved in the drive-by shooting as it careered out of control.
The other victim of the shooting is said to be a drill rapper known as Perm, who is believed to have been the target of the attack.
Former London police officer Norman Brennan, who now heads the Law and Order Foundation charity, said the incident showed that parts of London were "now akin to the Bronx", the once notoriously-violent borough of New York City, and attributed this to a shift away from community policing.
“So whereas 10 or 20 years ago when we had beat officers that were interacting in communities, housing estates, in our shops and on our streets, they are just not present," Mr Brennan told the Mirror.
"It’s turned into fire brigade policing, which means they go from one call, to the next, to the next."
“When the public don’t see police on the beat, they don’t feel safe. And when you don’t feel safe, you’re almost a prisoner in your own home.”
Brennan said concerns around controversial tactics such as racial profiling have created a situation where police were "damned if they do and damned if they don't".
“The police are criticised if they stop and search but the families of these young men and teenagers, boys, are planning funerals rather than bright futures," he said.
“In the last week, there have been many stabbings in London and four people have been shot dead.
"It’s clearly not acceptable, but what’s being done about it?”
Over his time working for the London police force, Mr Brennan spent 16 years as a frontline beat officer, predominantly policing transport systems and carrying out "early morning warrants in some of the most dangerous parts of London".
However, he said didn't know if he "would, or could, cope in today's police force".
“We’ve got the police service in disarray, we’ve got some streets of London now lawless, communities living in fear and many people now planning their social lives and trips to the shops around daylight hours," he said.
"It’s sad to see, really.”
The former copper said in his view another "10,000 to 20,000" frontline police officers from "all sections and sectors of society" were needed in Britain, to "saturate the streets".
Meanwhile, a tribute paid to Deliveroo driver Guilherme on social media, written in Brazilian and translated into English, has remembered "a humble and hard working boy" who "lost his life working during a fight between gangs in Brixton".
The Metropolitan Police has not yet confirmed the identities of those who died, however tributes have been paid online to drill rapper Perm.
The musician's father Dean Whyte, a close friend of British professional boxer Dillian Whyte, posted a tribute on social media on Monday morning, sharing an image of his son with the words: "R.i.p my boy daddy loves you".
Police confirmed in a statement that no arrests have yet been made as they appeal for anyone with information to come forward.
"Local residents will see an enhanced police presence in the area and are advised to speak with officers if they have any information," the spokesperson added.
"At this stage, there have been no arrests and enquiries continue.
"Anyone with information is asked to call police via 101 quoting reference CAD 6166/30Oct. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
