Peckham Boys
Encyclopedia
The Peckham Boys, also referred to as Black Gang, are a gang based in Peckham
, South London. Its members are primarily Black British
.
The Peckham Boys are composed of several affiliated sets. Southwark Council has identified the Peckham Young Guns (PYG), Anti/GMG and Spare No1 (SN1) as currently the most active sets of the Peckham Boys.
in 2000 were reported to be members of the Younger Peckham Boys, supposedly the youth wing of the Peckham Boys. The killers Ricky and Danny Preddie were only 12 and 13 at the time of the murder.
had an infamous shootout
outside the Urban Music Awards
, held in the Barbican Centre
, London. During the shootout at least 18 shots were exchanged. One stray shot hit an innocent by-stander, Helen Kelly. The underwire of her bra deflected the bullet, preventing fatal injury. Linton Ambursley from Lewisham
, a Ghetto Boys member, was jailed for 12 years after admitting wounding with intent.
On 17 September 2006, a man was shot and stabbed to death on the Woodpecker Estate in New Cross
by the Peckham Boys, after being mistaken for a member of the Ghetto Boys
. He was attacked by a group of approximately 30 Peckham Boys, who had travelled to New Cross on bicycles. As of 2010 the murder remains unsolved, as do 5 other recent murders on the Woodpecker Estate.
That same night, a man was chased in Deptford
by approximately 30-40 youths before being stabbed, but survived.
In November 2006, the Peckham Boys made it into the list of Time Out Magazine's top 100 'Movers and Shakers' for the year 2006. It is a list of the most influential groups or organisations in London.
, 60,000 fake ecstasy pills, 10 ounces of marijuana and thousands of pounds-worth of cocaine
.
In October 2008, during an exchange of shots between a member of the Ghetto Boys
and a Peckham Boys member, Polish care worker Magda Pniewska was hit by a stray bullet and died. The shootout occurred in New Cross.
In September 2008, police conducted dawn raids on suspected members of the Peckham Boys gang. It is believed that the group conducted 120 robberies in what police have called a "prolific" criminal enterprise. The gang are believed to have used knives, machetes, crowbars, guns and heavy screwdrivers to ensure that their operations were successful. Those arrested were between their mid-20s and mid-30s.
In July 2009, a 13 year old boy was stabbed five times in Camberwell
by the OC Gang, in a street battle with the PYG Gang from Peckham.
In September 2009, a member of the Brixton
-based OC gang was jailed for shooting a bystander dead, when attempting to murder two youths from the PYG gang. The attack was in retaliation for an incident earlier that day, in which an OC member was shot by PYG.
announced that they had convicted several members of the Shoot Instant Gang (an offshoot of the Peckham Boys), on charges of dealing class A drugs. The convictions were a result of a raid on Southwark
-based gang members, in which a total of 80 people were arrested.
On 6 September 2010, a member of the Peckham Boys, George Ogaba, was killed after his motorcycle was rammed by a car in Peckham. His death followed an earlier non-fatal shooting on the Lettsom Estate in Camberwell
. Hours later, Rio McFarlane was visiting a makeshift shrine for George, when he was murdered in a drive-by shooting. Rio McFarlane was friends with the footballer Rio Ferdinand
.
In December 2010, 17-year-old Sylvester Akapalara was shot dead on the Pelican Estate in Peckham. Akapalara was caught up in a claimed gang related dispute.
In April 2011, a member of the Peckham Boys, 'Kyze', was jailed for shooting a rival in the arm with a glock pistol
. The individual is said to have links with the rapper Giggs.
In July 2011, a member of the Peckham Boys was jailed for a minimum of 32 years for arranging an execution from his prison cell. Ola Apena, linked to the 'Shoot Instant' branch of the Peckham Boys, arranged the execution-style murder
and burning of teenager Samuel Ogunro in 2010, to prevent him from snitching.
and New Cross
. Feuding between the Peckham Boys and the Ghetto Boys
of New Cross
continued for over 20 years, although it is now over.
In recent times, the main rival has been the Brixton based OC (Organised Criminals).
Peckham
Peckham is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Southwark. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London...
, South London. Its members are primarily Black British
Black British
Black British is a term used to describe British people of Black African descent, especially those of Afro-Caribbean background. The term has been used from the 1950s to refer to Black people from former British colonies in the West Indies and Africa, who are residents of the United Kingdom and...
.
The Peckham Boys are composed of several affiliated sets. Southwark Council has identified the Peckham Young Guns (PYG), Anti/GMG and Spare No1 (SN1) as currently the most active sets of the Peckham Boys.
Early 2000s
The teenagers convicted of the high-profile murder of Damilola TaylorDamilola Taylor
Damilola Taylor was a ten-year-old Nigerian schoolboy who died in the United Kingdom. Several young boys were cleared of murder charges after a lengthy trial, and later two brothers were convicted of manslaughter....
in 2000 were reported to be members of the Younger Peckham Boys, supposedly the youth wing of the Peckham Boys. The killers Ricky and Danny Preddie were only 12 and 13 at the time of the murder.
Peak of conflict with the Ghetto Boys
In October 2004, the Peckham Boys and Ghetto BoysGhetto Boys
The Ghetto Boys are a street gang based in New Cross Lewisham and Deptford, South London. The gang was formed on the Woodpecker Estate and its members are primarily of Black British origin. Most of the members hail from the London Borough of Lewisham...
had an infamous shootout
Shootout
A shootout is a gun battle between armed groups. A shootout often, but not necessarily, pits law enforcement against criminal elements; it could also involve two groups outside of law enforcement, such as rival gangs. A shootout in a military context A shootout is a gun battle between armed groups....
outside the Urban Music Awards
Urban Music Awards
The Urban Music Awards is a HipHop, R&B, Dance and soul music awards ceremony launched in 2003 and now held in six countries annually.The awards ceremony is held annually by Invincible Media Group. The UMA's is now held in 6 countries annually...
, held in the Barbican Centre
Barbican Centre
The Barbican Centre is the largest performing arts centre in Europe. Located in the City of London, England, the Centre hosts classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, film screenings and art exhibitions. It also houses a library, three restaurants, and a conservatory...
, London. During the shootout at least 18 shots were exchanged. One stray shot hit an innocent by-stander, Helen Kelly. The underwire of her bra deflected the bullet, preventing fatal injury. Linton Ambursley from Lewisham
Lewisham
Lewisham is a district in South London, England, located in the London Borough of Lewisham. It is situated south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
, a Ghetto Boys member, was jailed for 12 years after admitting wounding with intent.
On 17 September 2006, a man was shot and stabbed to death on the Woodpecker Estate in New Cross
New Cross
New Cross is a district and ward of the London Borough of Lewisham, England. It is situated 4 miles south-east of Charing Cross. The ward covered by London post town and the SE 14 postcode district. New Cross is near St Johns, Telegraph Hill, Nunhead, Peckham, Brockley, Deptford and Greenwich...
by the Peckham Boys, after being mistaken for a member of the Ghetto Boys
Ghetto Boys
The Ghetto Boys are a street gang based in New Cross Lewisham and Deptford, South London. The gang was formed on the Woodpecker Estate and its members are primarily of Black British origin. Most of the members hail from the London Borough of Lewisham...
. He was attacked by a group of approximately 30 Peckham Boys, who had travelled to New Cross on bicycles. As of 2010 the murder remains unsolved, as do 5 other recent murders on the Woodpecker Estate.
That same night, a man was chased in Deptford
Deptford
Deptford is a district of south London, England, located on the south bank of the River Thames. It is named after a ford of the River Ravensbourne, and from the mid 16th century to the late 19th was home to Deptford Dockyard, the first of the Royal Navy Dockyards.Deptford and the docks are...
by approximately 30-40 youths before being stabbed, but survived.
In November 2006, the Peckham Boys made it into the list of Time Out Magazine's top 100 'Movers and Shakers' for the year 2006. It is a list of the most influential groups or organisations in London.
Late 2000s
In September 2007, a leader of the Peckham Boys was jailed after being found in possession of a Mac 10 sub-machine gun, three handguns, two silencers, 379 rounds of ammunitionAmmunition
Ammunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...
, 60,000 fake ecstasy pills, 10 ounces of marijuana and thousands of pounds-worth of cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
.
In October 2008, during an exchange of shots between a member of the Ghetto Boys
Ghetto Boys
The Ghetto Boys are a street gang based in New Cross Lewisham and Deptford, South London. The gang was formed on the Woodpecker Estate and its members are primarily of Black British origin. Most of the members hail from the London Borough of Lewisham...
and a Peckham Boys member, Polish care worker Magda Pniewska was hit by a stray bullet and died. The shootout occurred in New Cross.
In September 2008, police conducted dawn raids on suspected members of the Peckham Boys gang. It is believed that the group conducted 120 robberies in what police have called a "prolific" criminal enterprise. The gang are believed to have used knives, machetes, crowbars, guns and heavy screwdrivers to ensure that their operations were successful. Those arrested were between their mid-20s and mid-30s.
In July 2009, a 13 year old boy was stabbed five times in Camberwell
Camberwell
Camberwell is a district of south London, England, and forms part of the London Borough of Southwark. It is a built-up inner city district located southeast of Charing Cross. To the west it has a boundary with the London Borough of Lambeth.-Toponymy:...
by the OC Gang, in a street battle with the PYG Gang from Peckham.
In September 2009, a member of the Brixton
Brixton
Brixton is a district in the London Borough of Lambeth in south London, England. It is south south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
-based OC gang was jailed for shooting a bystander dead, when attempting to murder two youths from the PYG gang. The attack was in retaliation for an incident earlier that day, in which an OC member was shot by PYG.
Early 2010s
In August 2010, the Metropolitan PoliceMetropolitan police
Metropolitan Police is a generic title for the municipal police force for a major metropolitan area, and it may be part of the official title of the force...
announced that they had convicted several members of the Shoot Instant Gang (an offshoot of the Peckham Boys), on charges of dealing class A drugs. The convictions were a result of a raid on Southwark
Southwark
Southwark is a district of south London, England, and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Southwark. Situated east of Charing Cross, it forms one of the oldest parts of London and fronts the River Thames to the north...
-based gang members, in which a total of 80 people were arrested.
On 6 September 2010, a member of the Peckham Boys, George Ogaba, was killed after his motorcycle was rammed by a car in Peckham. His death followed an earlier non-fatal shooting on the Lettsom Estate in Camberwell
Camberwell
Camberwell is a district of south London, England, and forms part of the London Borough of Southwark. It is a built-up inner city district located southeast of Charing Cross. To the west it has a boundary with the London Borough of Lambeth.-Toponymy:...
. Hours later, Rio McFarlane was visiting a makeshift shrine for George, when he was murdered in a drive-by shooting. Rio McFarlane was friends with the footballer Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand
Rio Gavin Ferdinand is an English footballer. He plays at centre back for Manchester United in the Premier League and for the England national football team...
.
In December 2010, 17-year-old Sylvester Akapalara was shot dead on the Pelican Estate in Peckham. Akapalara was caught up in a claimed gang related dispute.
In April 2011, a member of the Peckham Boys, 'Kyze', was jailed for shooting a rival in the arm with a glock pistol
Glock pistol
The Glock pistol, sometimes referred to by the manufacturer as Glock "Safe Action" Pistol, is a series of semi-automatic pistols designed and produced by Glock Ges.m.b.H., located in Deutsch-Wagram, Austria. The company's founder, engineer Gaston Glock, had no experience with firearm design or...
. The individual is said to have links with the rapper Giggs.
In July 2011, a member of the Peckham Boys was jailed for a minimum of 32 years for arranging an execution from his prison cell. Ola Apena, linked to the 'Shoot Instant' branch of the Peckham Boys, arranged the execution-style murder
Execution-style murder
Execution-style murder, also known as Chicago-style murder, and execution-style killing are news media buzzwords applied to various acts of criminal murder where the perpetrator kills at close range a conscious victim who is under the complete physical control of the assailant and who has been left...
and burning of teenager Samuel Ogunro in 2010, to prevent him from snitching.
Rivalries
Historically, the Peckham Boys had a fierce rivalry with gangs from BrixtonBrixton
Brixton is a district in the London Borough of Lambeth in south London, England. It is south south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
and New Cross
New Cross
New Cross is a district and ward of the London Borough of Lewisham, England. It is situated 4 miles south-east of Charing Cross. The ward covered by London post town and the SE 14 postcode district. New Cross is near St Johns, Telegraph Hill, Nunhead, Peckham, Brockley, Deptford and Greenwich...
. Feuding between the Peckham Boys and the Ghetto Boys
Ghetto Boys
The Ghetto Boys are a street gang based in New Cross Lewisham and Deptford, South London. The gang was formed on the Woodpecker Estate and its members are primarily of Black British origin. Most of the members hail from the London Borough of Lewisham...
of New Cross
New Cross
New Cross is a district and ward of the London Borough of Lewisham, England. It is situated 4 miles south-east of Charing Cross. The ward covered by London post town and the SE 14 postcode district. New Cross is near St Johns, Telegraph Hill, Nunhead, Peckham, Brockley, Deptford and Greenwich...
continued for over 20 years, although it is now over.
In recent times, the main rival has been the Brixton based OC (Organised Criminals).
External links
- http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23484519-details/Two+teenage+boys+stabbed+...+it's+just+another+day+of+gang+warfare+in+Peckham/article.do thisislondon.co.uk Just another day of gang warfare in Peckham
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1944306.stm news.bbc.co.uk Tale of the untouchables
- http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20061015/ai_n16785132/ findarticles.com The Peckham Boy Story
- London Street Gangs London gangs resource website