Schoolboy killing 'a wake-up call'

Damilola Taylor died on an estate due for demolition

The murder of a 10-year-old boy on a London housing estate due for demolition highlights the urgent need for urban regeneration, says a housing expert.

David Page, housing consultant for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said massive rebuilding of the densely populated five Peckham estates was "wonderful stuff" but it was not enough.

Damilola Taylor's death is a wake up call

He said: "Intervention is needed. The government needs to put its money where its mouth is - money into Peckham, money into housing."

His comments follow the fatal stabbing of Damilola Taylor on Monday in the North Peckham Estate, which is part of a £260m neighbourhood regeneration scheme.

The boy bled to death and police are continuing to search for three youths they want to question in connection with the tragedy.

Mr Page believes that the boy's death should strengthen the government's aim to speed up renaissance of deprived areas of the UK, such as Peckham.

His report 'Communities in the balance: The reality of social exclusion on housing estates' is published on Wednesday.

He believes there has been a chronic lack of investment in UK housing for 20 years.

The community no longer supports the values of mainstream society

David Page
Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Peckham had not been alone in developing a culture that supported crime, he said.

"For those living there a stable job is a very unusual thing.

"A culture develops which supports alternative economies and a life of crime.

"People start turning a blind eye to minor crime and the community as a whole no longer supports the values of mainstream society."

Monday's killing was a "throwback" to this culture, he said.

"It has taken a long time for the social and physical problems of areas like Peckham to be dealt with."

"Money is beginning to come through but it is long overdue."