'Drug plague' of London street

The south London street where an innocent woman was shot during a fight between two gangsters has been plagued by drug dealers for years, residents' leaders said today.

Local people claimed to have repeatedly warned police that "something like this was bound to happen" unless they tackled the scourge of crack cocaine and cannabis peddling. One said: "Women walking the streets at night are bound to feel threatened now."

The 31-year-old victim, who is black, is in a serious but stable condition in hospital being treated for injuries to her abdomen. She was hit in Brailsford Road, Tulse Hill, while on her way to a takeaway restaurant as she she passed the men who were arguing. She suddenly heard a loud crack and seconds later realised her clothes were soaked in blood.

She managed to stagger to a friend's house some distance from the scene and summon help. The woman, who has not been named, was taken to hospital where medical staff later alerted police to the fact that she had been shot.

It was two hours before officers went to the scene of the shooting, which took place at 8.30pm on Sunday. Several roads were sealed off as forensic experts hunted for clues. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "This was an innocent woman going about her business who was hit by a stray bullet from an argument that did not involve her.

"Unfortunately, we were not alerted to the shooting until some time after it occurred. We are actively seeking witnesses."

Regulars in the nearby Two Woodcocks pub said they had not heard gunshots. A member of staff, who did not wish to be named, explained: "We didn't realise anything had happened until the police turned up and sealed the road off. It is shocking."

Residents' leaders insisted crime in the area is on the increase, fuelling a climate of fear among many locals.

Peter Lennard, secretary of the Arling-ford Brailsford Residents' Association, said: "We are concerned about drug dealing, which the police seem incapable of dealing with because they are supposedly under-resourced.

"The problem brings large numbers of undesirable people into the area and the substantial amount of black market money changing hands increases the risk of violent conflict."

He warned: "Something like this was bound to happen - we have been afraid of it."

Mr Lennard said up to 10 drug dealers operate along Tulse Hill during any given night.

Detectives today are eager to speak to a group of black men who were seen hanging around outside the Two Woodcocks prior to the shooting.

Heather Bouchier Hayes, a grandmother who runs a residents' association in nearby Brixton Water Lane, said that in another incident, around six months ago, a man was shot dead in his car directly outside her home.

She said: "That was a gangland incident, as this latest incident also appears to be.

"The difference is that the victim this time was a completely innocent bystander."

Mrs Hayes added: "This will greatly alarm people. Woman out alone and walking the streets at night are bound to feel threatened now."

Police say the two gangsters, who were both black and around 5ft 10in tall, wore dark clothing. Anyone with information should ring 0208 785 8762 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.