Good response to shot boy appeal

James Andre Smartt-Ford was shot at an ice rink in February

A mother's televised appeal for help to catch her son's killers has prompted a "positive response", said detectives.

Tracey Ford, of New Malden, south-west London, appeared on BBC1's Crimewatch programme to appeal for information about the death of her 17-year-old son.

James Andre Smartt-Ford was shot in front of hundreds of people at a disco at Streatham Ice Rink on 3 February.

Detective Superintendent Gary Richardson said police had received "a number of calls" following the appeal.

You don't expect to bury your children Tracey Ford

He said the response was "very positive" and a number of people had named some suspects that were already known to the inquiry team.

He added that those responsible would have been "bragging" about the murder to others and he wanted those people to come forward.

Ms Ford spoke of her grief in an interview on Crimewatch.

She said: "Words cannot describe how I miss him, there are no words to describe that.

"You don't expect to bury your children."

She said of those responsible for her son's death: "I don't know how they live, knowing what they've done, knowing that they've taken away our son.

"They've destroyed a family."

There have so far been several arrests in connection with the murder inquiry.

Nine people, including seven youths, were arrested over the incident and bailed. No-one has been charged.