We must unite to stop guns

An internationally renowned music producer whose son was killed by accident in a gangland shoot-out has issued an emotional plea: "Stop the guns."

Reggae producer Steve Martin, who is known in the music world as Blacker Dread, is calling on the community across London to unite against the gangland killings.

His son Solomon Martin, 24, was shot dead as he sat in the back of a Renault Clio when it was ambushed on New Year's Eve by gunmen in at least two other cars.

Police found 15 bullet holes in the Clio but believe the real target of the attack was the driver who escaped unhurt.

At least two other men in the car have since gone into hiding in fear of their lives.

Today Mr Martin, 46, whose Blacker Dread music shop is a Brixton landmark, said his son's death was the result of a growing gun and gang culture. He said: "There are a lot of shootingshappening which are not getting reported because no one gets killed or injured. It is time for the community to unite to stop this."

He spoke out after Lee Jasper, the Mayor's advisor on policing, issued a warning about a Brixton gang called the Muslim Boys. He described the group, which includes gangsters who have converted to Islam in prison, as the "most serious criminal threat" the black community had ever faced.

Solomon Martin's murder- - one of a spate of killings involving-black gangs in December and January - was initially rumoured to have been the work of the gang but police have since denied this.

Solomon died in an execution-style killing as he sat in the car in Carolina Road, Thornton Heath. The gang opened fire with automatic weapons outside a primary school where a parent-teacher evening was taking place.

Police say gun crime is falling in London though new figures show the number of firearm murders in the capital rose by five per cent in the 10 months to the end of January, from 11 the previous year to 16 last year.

Mr Martin said: "I am surprised people say gun crime is falling, I think there is an escalation. It is easier to get guns."

Detective Inspector Tim Neligan appealed to the other men in the Clio to contact police in confidence. Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.