ANOTHER shooting in Leyton has left the local community reeling, marking a sudden spike in gun crime.
The incident on September 12, in which a 40-year-old man was shot in the leg outside the Lord Clyde pub in Capworth Street, is the fifth in the area involving firearms in just six weeks.
Judith Tuitt, 43, lives across the street from the Lord Clyde and spoke of her fear for her son, Tyrell, nine, who is autistic.
She said: “I feel like I'm on my own. It doesn't matter who you talk to – nobody cares.
“I worry for my son's safety – he doesn't have any sense of danger. He can't go anywhere on his own.”
Pub regular Alan Murphy, 63, of Chelmsford, who works for Kier, said: “I heard about it the following day. It was a shock – it's shocking anywhere.
“As far as I know, he was just sitting outside and somebody came round and shot him in the leg.”
Another regular, who did not wish to be named added: “In the afternoon and evening around here, I feel like I have to get home quickly.
“I have to get home before the sun sets – I wouldn't want to be out after dark around here.”
Just days before the incident, on September 2, an 18-year-old man was shot in the groin in the same street.
And Abubarak Issak, 27, who lives in Capworth Street, was charged with possession of a firearm after he was stopped and searched on August 28.
Police also continue to investigate an incident on August 23, when a paramedic was shot with an air gun as she tended to a patient in nearby King's Close.
Six men were also arrested and bailed in connection with a gang shoot-out on the notorious Cathall estate in Leytonstone on August 10.
Member for Leyton Cllr Bob Sullivan said: “We need more police – more officers gives you a better result.
“We're supposedly an outer London borough, so we get less of everything.”
A sixth incident in July also saw a man shot and arrested by armed police in Elmore Road, Leytonstone, in connection with a shooting in Abbotts Park Road, Leyton.
The Guardian reported on September 9 that deputy borough commander Superintendent Sue Williams called on the community to help solve the problem by coming forward with information.
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