Drugs war fuels wave of shootings

Yardie-style violence has hit unprecedented levels despite police being aware of who is behind many of the black-on-black shootings.

Scotland Yard last month dealt with a record five murders and more than 20 shootings. Up to June this year there were a total of 11 murders and 74 non-fatal shootings with most involving young men fighting to protect their drug-dealing turf.

Detectives from Operation Trident, the unit dedicated to combating black-on-black gun crime, say the number of guns in circulation and the constant feuds between drug gangs means criminals are far more likely to use firearms to settle minor disputes. In the first six months of this year Trident officers arrested nearly 200 suspects, made 21 seizures of class A drugs and recovered 45 firearms.

However, the Met is making huge progress in building relations with Caribbean communities in London.

Lee Jasper, the Mayor's adviser on race and policing issues, believes police now know who is behind most of the killings.

"There is increasing trust and that is evident in the number of gunmen quickly brought to justice," he said.