Boy shot dead after being chased

The victim was allegedly chased by youths wearing bandanas

A 16-year-old boy has been shot dead after being chased by youths on bicycles, police have said.

Officers were called to reports of shots being heard on the Stockwell Gardens Estate in Stockwell, south London, just after midnight.

The teenager was found outside Cassell House suffering from gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Met's Operation Trident team, which investigates gun crime in the black community, is heading the inquiry.

Det Insp Geoff Whitehouse said: "Initial reports suggest that the victim was running away from a number of youths on bicycles prior to being shot.

Police believe two guns were used in the attack

"Witnesses have described the suspects as wearing bandanas in an attempt to conceal their faces.

"The suspects, who we now believe to have been carrying two firearms, then made off into the alleyway next to Packington House."

A post-mortem examination was due to be carried out on the boy's body at Greenwich mortuary on Thursday.

Police believe they know who the victim was but have not formally identified him.

Mr Whitehouse added that police have not ruled out the killing being gang related.

The car park outside Cassell House has been cordoned off while officers conduct a fingertip search of the area.

'Very intimidating'

Local residents have said the estate has seen a rise in violence in recent years.

Francis Gonzalez said: "There is a problem in this area with a big group of teenagers who hang around outside and in the stairwell smoking and causing trouble.

"It's very intimidating and can be frightening. When I go shopping, I normally go with two or three people."

Another resident, Nasima Khatun, said of the trouble on the estate: "We are scared. We have told the council about it so many times but there's nothing they can do"