Ilford shooting: Parents warned authorities ‘thousands’ of times before boy, 11, was shot
Police lock the gates to Loxford Park, the scene where an 11-year-old boy became the victim of a shooting - Credit: Archant
Parents claimed they warned authorities “thousands” of times about drug dealers near a park, before a child was hit by a stray bullet while playing.
The 11-year-old was injured on Monday when a man got out of a car in Loxford Lane, Ilford, and blasted a shotgun twice in broad daylight.
A 22-year-old man was caught in the back, and remains in hospital in a critical condition.
The boy was with his friends in the playground, in Loxford Park, when the pellet hit his cheek. He has since left hospital.
One witness described how the sounds of children playing quickly turned into “screams”.
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A mother said: “The children were playing in the park and a boy got out of the car with a black bandana. Only his eyes were showing.”
A mum-of-two told the Recorder: “Thousands of times we have phoned the council because of drug dealing in Buttsbury Road. We ask for cameras and they haven’t [installed any].”
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Redbridge Police sought to reassure residents and said they had increased patrols around the park.
Deputy borough commander Supt Tracy Goddard-King said: “I would like to reiterate that this is an isolated incident and Redbridge remains a very safe area.”
A Redbridge Council spokesman added: “We take safety in our parks incredibly seriously and we work very closely with the police.”
The Met’s gang unit Trident is investigating and an appeal for witnesses has been issued.
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800555111.
For the full story on the shooting see today’s Recorder.
