‘We find bullets on the ground’: Local businesses call for heightened police presence after fatal shooting

Businesses have called for a heightened police presence after a young man was fatally shot in the early hours of Saturday.

Medical staff called police at around 2.30am after the victim, a man in his 20s, attended hospital with a gunshot injury. The victim had been dropped off in a private car.

The man died shortly after 3am. He has not yet been named and no arrests have been made at this stage.

Detectives believe the victim had been shot on the Westbury Estate, St Rule Street, Nine Elms. 

A staff member of Speed Motors, a garage service in Portslade Road, near the Westbury Estate, said: “When I got to work in the morning on Saturday I saw the police tape and heard there had been a shooting.

“Every two or three months I see bullets on the floor when I leave work. 

“It’s like a game they are playing.”

The man, who asked not to be named, said he felt violence in the area was on the rise.

He said: “There is a lot more going on but it’s always late at night when we are not working.

“Even after this shooting it feels normal – we have to carry on and work, otherwise how do we live?”

A crime scene remains in place in the area as cops carry out enquiries.

Officers from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, leading the murder investigation, are calling for witnesses to come forward. 

Detective Inspector Martin Thorpe said: “The victim was a young man with his whole life ahead of him – a life that has been tragically cut short. 

“My thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends at this difficult time.

“My officers and I are working to bring them the justice they deserve and your information could be a critical part of our investigation.

“If you were in the area around the time of this incident, or have doorbell, dashcam or CCTV footage that may have captured events, please get in touch with police at the earliest opportunity. If you want to remain anonymous, you can share what you know via the independent charity, Crimestoppers.”

Another business owner who works close to the Westbury Estate, but asked not to be named, said: “These things are a bit normal now.

“The last few years there have been a few shootings and we had a stabbing close by just a few weeks ago.”

Just last month, three men were taken to hospital after a stabbing at the junction where Portslade Road meets Wandsworth Road at around 9pm on March 25.

Their injuries have since been assessed as non-life threatening. The investigation is ongoing.

The business owner said: “You feel a bit scared with it all going on. We need a bigger police presence.

“It’s not just violence we have graffiti all over the place too.”

The Met have assured residents that specialist and local officers will be patrolling the area around the estate in the coming days.

DI Thorpe continued: “I don’t underestimate the shock that an incident like this will cause the local community and I want to thank them for their patience while we continue to carry out our work at the scene.

“If you have any concerns or information that you think could assist please do speak to them.

“Anyone with any information or footage is asked to call police on 101 and give reference 884/11May. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”

Pictured top: View into the Westbury Estate from Wandsworth Road (Picture: Google Street View)