Shooting fears allayed

Thursday June 18, 2009

Community leaders have reassured Fulham Court residents at a public meeting following a fatal shooting on the estate.

Borough Police Commander Kevin Hurley was joined by Deputy Mayor of London Kit Malthouse and Cllr Greg Smith at the meeting at St Dionis Church Hall.

The meeting was called following the murder of Fulham Court resident Anthony Otton shortly before 7pm on June 4. Anthony is believed to have been with friends on the estate when he was killed by a single bullet through the heart. Three men have been arrested over the shooting.

Detective Chief Superintendent Hurley vowed to increase patrols in the estate after residents voiced concerns about the lack of a police presence.

Mr Malthouse, Deputy Mayor responsible for Policing, praised the borough’s police force for cutting crime despite “one off” events such as Anthony’s death.

Mr Malthouse said: “If there was a problem with policing in Hammersmith & Fulham you would be hearing about it from me, but there isn’t. It is one of the very few boroughs that has achieved all its crime indicators. I hope that one-off events like this will begin to decrease in frequency as some of the work we are doing begins to pay off.”

Later this month work will begin on a £190,000 CCTV programme of more than 50 cameras covering every entrance and exit to the estate, meaning comings and goings can be monitored 24/7.

H&F Homes Chief Executive Nick Johnson vowed to work closely with residents to help them set up a Tenants and Residents Association (TRA).

He said: “Some of our estates have very active tenants and residents associations (TRA) and I meet with them frequently. They are often challenging because residents are keen for us to improve all the time, but I am up for that.

“If the residents of Fulham Court are willing to come and set up a TRA I will come and work with them myself.

“Already I have a great opportunity to meet a number of residents and I’m aware how keen they are for this to work. I will promise you now that I will make it happen.”

DCS Hurley was joined on the panel by detectives investigating Anthony’s death and local police officers.

Detective Chief Inspector Howard Groves, who is leading the investigation into Anthony’s death, called on residents to come forward with any information they may have, no matter how small.

And he made a special appeal to residents who may have videos or pictures of the scene on their mobile phone shortly before or after the crime.

He said: “You may think it’s not relevant, or that we already know, but that little piece of information you have may be just that little thing I need to open up this can of worms.”

Anyone with information can call the incident room at Barnes on 0208 247 7821 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.