Afternoon:
9°c
The Dispossessed: If kids see only drugs, knives and guns they use them too
Peter Dominiczak and Justin Davenport4 Mar 2010
When he was 17, Lox Lokko would wear a bullet-proof vest to bed, knowing that rival gang members across south London wanted him dead.
The Myatts Field Estate in Brixton, where Lox grew up, is a bleak 1970s development known as “the dads” by local gang members.
“We call it the dads because it's like Baghdad — all shot up,” he says. “For kids on this estate, gangs are the only option. There's nothing else.”
By his 18th birthday, Lox had been stabbed three times, watched four close friends die during brutal turf wars and been arrested for murder, though never charged.
For years the Myatts Field estate was almost synonymous with gang warfare and deprivation. It has one main gang, whose name changes with the times. Once it was an infamous group known as the Muslim Boys, linked to dozens of murders and shootings. Today it is the OC — or Organised Criminals.
The local ward is among the most deprived in the UK, with one of the highest proportion of single parents.
Yet there is a change on the estate, with crime falling and the last shooting taking place more than a year ago.
Now 20, Lox has left the gang he called his family for three years and dedicates his time to helping youngsters out of that life through his work at a local youth ministry.
Under the stage name Mr C'Mon, he is set to release his debut rap album produced at south London community project Code 7.
It is growing up on poverty-stricken estates like Myatts Field that pushes youngsters into a life of petty crime then on into violence, Lox believes.
“Rich people don't join gangs,” he says. “If everyone around you is a doctor, that's what you see and that's what you become. If everyone around you is involved with knives and guns, that's what you do. You think that's the only way to be successful, the only way to get respect.”
Lox says youngsters think the only way to earn money is by selling drugs. “My parents came over from Ghana just before I was born,” he says. “Dad worked in security and mum with the elderly, so we were OK, but there was unimaginable poverty on my estate.
“Some people may have parents who are drug addicts, so all the money coming into the house goes on that.”
When he turned 15 his involvement in gangs became very serious. He says: “I was stabbed in the face, the chest and my back. We carried guns and always wore bullet-proof vests.”
After four friends were killed in the violence Lox — with the help of a local pastor — decided he had to get out. He became a Christian and joined the Code 7 project. Today he also works with the estate's Word Of Grace ministry trying to get people out of gangs.
PC Allan Douglas-Smith, who has patrolled the estate for 10 years, says he knew of Lox's reputation as a gangster before they started working together to divert youngsters from crime.
Colleague Sgt Jeff Palmer says the type of crime there has changed. The number of muggings — once a common occurrence — have plummeted. The main concerns now are drugs and youth violence involving gangs.
Local officers are frustrated at the lack of provision for young people. “That's the whole problem,” says Sgt Palmer. “You have kids walking around aimlessly. Then they see someone who is older with wads of cash and they think about doing what he is doing.
“If career criminals can get kids to do their dirty work then it means they don't get put in jail.”
But there is hope. At Christmas the Word Of Grace ministry organised a party for more than 300 youngsters in a school hall. Many of those who turned up came from rival gangs and the event lasted eight hours without any trouble.
Sgt Palmer says: “That would have been un-thinkable a few years ago.” Lox adds: “All youngsters need to do is realise that there is another option.”
Reader views (7)
I went to school in that area and I lived in a two roomed flat, outside toilet, no bathroom or hot water.I never got in trouble with the police,I managed to exist, so how does living there in this called "deprived" enviroment excuse this anti social behaviour.
- John O'Brien, London England, 12/04/2010 11:36
Report abuse
@ Frank, I don't see anyone making excuses for the young people who grow up in the roads and estates around drugs and gangs. Everyone's trying to come up with reasons and strategies for this huge and complex issue. But Jesus is the answer - the world will never admit it. Lives are being turned around, from hatred to love - I know because I am a life that was changed by God.
@ Andrew - definately encouraging testimony.
- El, Thornton Heath, Croydon, 05/03/2010 12:01
Report abuse
Why do we think it,s only the government's responsibility, i have been following this story since the evening standard have started, we have comments from the public, the police, what are the religious organisations doing in all this after all they are established within the community where this is happening, youths need to be engaged so that people out there will not use them to sell drugs or rob.
- Femi, Essex, 05/03/2010 11:32
Report abuse
@ Liberal And Proud, London, UK
Part of the problem is the number of people with a certain political bent, making excuses for them, justifying and thus reinforcing their behaviour.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 05/03/2010 09:44
Report abuse
Speaking from experience Frank?
It's the easy option to dismiss people's experiences and choices because they don't match yours - it's harder to understand and do something about it (other than boldly commenting anonymously all day on the internet).
- Liberal And Proud, London, UK, 04/03/2010 15:17
Report abuse
Very good story. Well done Lox and the Code 7 project. This should be encouraging to everyone, (except perhaps for Prof Dawkins who would be appalled to see Christianity alive and bringing peace
to a Brixton estate).
- Andrew, Hampton Hill, 04/03/2010 14:55
Report abuse
Gangs, drugs, knives and guns are far more sexy than going to school and working hard. It is the easy option, not the only option. It's a cop out.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 04/03/2010 13:36
Report abuse
