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4:47pm Tuesday 26th June 2007
Comments (392) Have your say »
THE MOTHER of a 16-year-old boy killed during a fight on Saturday night has paid tribute to the "most loving boy that ever walked this earth".
Ben Hitchcock died after he was stabbed in a fight in Southend Road, Beckenham, at the junction with Calverley Close, at 11.36pm.
Eyewitnesses described youths wielding metal chains, poles and pick-axe handles in the fight, which is now the subject of a murder investigation.
Ben, who was a Year 11 pupil at Kelsey Park Sports College, in Manor Way, Beckenham, was taken to Lewisham Hospital by ambulance, where he was pronounced dead.
Lee Hitchcock, of Blean Grove, Penge, said: "My son was loved very much by his family and many friends.
"We will miss him terribly, more than anything in the world.
"Ben was the kindest, happiest and most loving boy that ever walked this earth.
"He was 16 and had just finished his exams at school.
"He had the rest of his life before him.
"I appeal to anyone who knows who killed my Ben to get in touch with the police.
"We must know the truth about what happened."
Ben, who was nicknamed Swipe, was believed to be a member of the Penge Block gang.
Perry Watson, an ex-member of the gang said: "We were from the same area and we played football together.
"I'd known him for around two years, we just started jamming.
"He was down to earth, caring, loving and the joker of the group.
"He was always making everyone laugh.
"We lost a friend called Stefan this year from Norwood so we are trying to keep as a team and stay strong but it's all gone wrong."
The 17-year-old added the gang, which is thought to consist of around 80 members, is planning to pay tribute to Ben by printing and wearing T-shirts reading RIP Swipe.
Ben's headteacher, Brian Lloyd, said: "We are all absolutely devastated and shocked, it's a tragic loss of a young man's life.
"Our thoughts are with his family at this time.
"He had worked so hard to pass his exams and I understand he was looking to do a course at Bromley College.
"It's just such a waste.
"He was just a normal kid, he was chipper and had a great personality.
"He was just a normal kid who did normal things."
His last words were 'Please help me, phone my mum'
One woman who was driving past the fight, stopped to try and help Ben.
The 30-year-old mother-of-four said: "His last words were 'Please help me, phone my mum'.
"I just saw him lying on the pavement, his mates were saying 'Come on, you can't leave us like this, get up and run'.
"They were only kids, it's all street wars between Blue borough and Green borough.
"We get it all the time and there will be a lot more because there's nothing for the kids to do.
"They need to be taught violence is not the answer."
Neighbours from the flats overlooking the scene have described the "mayhem" of a "terrifying" incident.
An ex-police officer, who does not want to be named, described how the incident unfolded.
He said: "We heard lots of shouting in the street and all of a sudden there were somewhere between 30 to 40 youths there.
"There was one large gang who seemed predominantly black, who came from the direction of Lewisham.
"The other gang came from the direction of Beckenham and seemed to be mixed.
"They were carrying pick-axe handles, metal scaffolding poles and other homemade weapons and swinging chains above their heads.
"They seemed to be big guys and they all pulled their hoodies up when they were around 50 yards away from each other.
'They were all armed and up for trouble'
"They were all armed and up for trouble - that much was obvious.
"These people were out for one reason and that was to seriously injure or worse.
"They were armed, they were organized and they came out of the silence and caused mayhem.
"Different fights seemed to be going on between different people, cars were having to turn around and go back or just accelerate straight through them.
"It must have been absolutely terrifying for people driving through it - I think some of the gang members were trying to hit the cars.
"It was just a big melee, there was fighting going on all over the place.
'It was bordering on a riot'
"It didn't look to me like any one person was being targeted, it was bordering on a riot.
"We called the police but the fighting was going on for a good five or 10 minutes before they arrived.
"We saw the boy who we later learned had died, lying on the pavement. An ambulance fast response car arrived about five minutes later.
"The ambulance crew was working on him for a while - by this point the Lewisham gang had already withdrawn in the direction they had come from.
"The Beckenham gang also seemed to vanish - apart from six or seven people who stayed with the victim."
Some residents from the overlooking estate say they have heard rumours the fight was over a girl and took place after a party.
The eye-witness added: "We have heard the same hearsay.
"There was lots of shouting but I did not hear one racist comment.
"It was orchestrated and planned and I have to say I am quite concerned about reprisals."
A post-mortem examination held yesterday at the Princess Royal University Hospital, in Farnborough, revealed the cause of death as a stab wound to the abdomen.
An inquest into Ben's death will open and adjourn at Croydon Coroners' Court tomorrow.
So far 14 youths have been arrested in connection with the investigation, including one girl.
All 14, who are aged between 13 and 16-years-old, were bailed last night and will return to a south London police station on June 27.
A police spokesman said: "It is believed it began after a group tried to enter a house near to Southend Road, where a party was in progress.
"That group was excluded and the party then finished.
"We believe calls were made to others and as the partygoers entered the street, their number was supplemented by others arriving, bringing the total to around 40.
"A number of knives and bricks were recovered from the scene."
At a press conference at Southend Road, Detective Superintendent Simon Morgan said: "Up to 40 youths were involved in the incident which began when approximately six boys were barred from entering a party in a nearby location.
"Police arrived and the party was closed.
"A group left the party and the incident took place shortly afterwards.
"Anyone in the area on Saturday who may have seen the incident please come forward.
"All parents of teenagers who may have been at the party, speak to them and help us piece together what happened."
A Bromley police spokesman told News Shopper they had increased patrols in the area since the incident in response to community concerns, but stressed there had been no specific threats of reprisals.
The incident is being investigated by the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, based at Lewisham, under DCI Dave Garwood.
Anyone with information should contact the incident room on 020 8721 4961, or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous.
jj, Penge says...
4:28pm Sun 24 Jun 07
CASSIE, kent says...
4:32pm Sun 24 Jun 07
miss davies, beckenham says...
4:45pm Sun 24 Jun 07
Kelly, London says...
5:05pm Sun 24 Jun 07
real eye witness, blue bis says...
5:18pm Sun 24 Jun 07
Jason Bridge, Beckenham says...
5:34pm Sun 24 Jun 07
Simon, Beckenham says...
5:41pm Sun 24 Jun 07
donut, sutton says...
6:46pm Sun 24 Jun 07
Lisa, Beckenham says...
7:11pm Sun 24 Jun 07
EmmaDott, bekenham says...
8:19pm Sun 24 Jun 07
CharlOtt3..x, Beckenham hill roaddd says...
8:21pm Sun 24 Jun 07
AMY, BROMLEY says...
8:21pm Sun 24 Jun 07
YoungerReapah, Penge Blocks says...
8:33pm Sun 24 Jun 07
STEPHEN, bromley says...
8:45pm Sun 24 Jun 07
jj wrote:man u will be miss. we will never forget a tru fallen soilder.
R I P Swipe
remi, penge se20 says...
8:49pm Sun 24 Jun 07
remi, .r.i.p. swipe says...
8:52pm Sun 24 Jun 07
Honey, Beckenham says...
8:58pm Sun 24 Jun 07
Tony, Eltham says...
9:02pm Sun 24 Jun 07
PENGE GIRLZ HOW OVER LOVE BEN HITCH ****, penge se20 says...
9:09pm Sun 24 Jun 07
CharlOotteDohtt..x, Beckenham Hill Roadd..x says...
9:18pm Sun 24 Jun 07
Maddiee, Penge... says...
9:25pm Sun 24 Jun 07
bold****
Sharn, Penge says...
9:25pm Sun 24 Jun 07
ELMZ, BECKNHAM says...
10:01pm Sun 24 Jun 07
EP, says...
10:02pm Sun 24 Jun 07
mother, bexleyheath says...
10:11pm Sun 24 Jun 07
Lisselu, Beckenham says...
10:56pm Sun 24 Jun 07
Lisselu, Beckenham says...
11:02pm Sun 24 Jun 07
ItsDatChiick.., SouthEastSidez.. says...
12:16am Mon 25 Jun 07
EmmaDott, Bekenham says...
7:44am Mon 25 Jun 07
x, kent says...
10:34am Mon 25 Jun 07
LACiiAA &&* JORGiiAHH, BECKENHAMM says...
10:35am Mon 25 Jun 07
x, kent says...
10:49am Mon 25 Jun 07
fedup, Beckenham says...
10:54am Mon 25 Jun 07
loraine, says...
11:12am Mon 25 Jun 07
beck, Beckenham says...
11:29am Mon 25 Jun 07
mk, Beckenham says...
11:30am Mon 25 Jun 07
fedup, Beckenham says...
11:52am Mon 25 Jun 07
Ella.., Penge.. says...
11:57am Mon 25 Jun 07
JM, Beckenham says...
12:06pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Aaron, Sydenham says...
12:13pm Mon 25 Jun 07
quote
DANNY, penge says...
12:15pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Kay, Penge says...
12:38pm Mon 25 Jun 07
R H, Beckenham says...
12:46pm Mon 25 Jun 07
jayne, beckenham says...
12:53pm Mon 25 Jun 07
H x, Penge says...
1:19pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Rusco, Bromley says...
1:32pm Mon 25 Jun 07
9, Bromley says...
1:38pm Mon 25 Jun 07
nt, says...
1:39pm Mon 25 Jun 07
forgoodnesssake, says...
1:40pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Joyce, Catford says...
1:45pm Mon 25 Jun 07
matt, bromley says...
1:46pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Anon, thamesmead says...
1:57pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Wallet, Bromley says...
1:58pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Al, Croydon says...
1:59pm Mon 25 Jun 07
9, bromley says...
2:07pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Bombjack, Shortlands says...
2:09pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Disgusted with this country, Beckenham says...
2:10pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Z, Kent says...
2:11pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Al, Croydon says...
2:13pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Al, Croydon says...
2:15pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Lily, Bromley says...
2:18pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Z, Kent says...
2:19pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Al wrote:exactly
Z, his parents couldn't have cared less where he was, just so long as he wasn't disturbing them.
Simon Bull, web editor, News Shopper says...
2:22pm Mon 25 Jun 07
nt, says...
2:24pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Charlie-x, beckenham/penge says...
2:25pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Al, Croydon says...
2:27pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Charlie-x, Croydon says...
2:31pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Lily, bromley says...
2:32pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Anon, kent says...
2:34pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Charlie-x, beckenham/penge says...
2:35pm Mon 25 Jun 07
H, SE London says...
2:38pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Charlie-x wrote:is it not fair to say this boy, who was so nice, could have easliy been the one committing a murder on sat nite ?
lOok. i dOnt see yOur prOblem. yes he was in a gang fight. but it happens. i knOw what its like. and yOu OviOusly dOnt. i dOnt see why yOur stressing at me as i see hOe he used tO be he was a lOvley bOy sO dOnt tell me he wasnt. did yOu knOw him? thats what i thaught sO stOp runnin yOur mOuth and sayin hOw yOu dOnt wanna meet me cOz tO be hOnest yOur just rude and disrespectful :(
shannen...x, forest hill says...
2:38pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Wallet, Bromley says...
2:39pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Mick, Penge says...
2:39pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Al, Croydon says...
2:43pm Mon 25 Jun 07
shannen...x, forest hill says...
2:43pm Mon 25 Jun 07
JM, Beckenham says...
2:43pm Mon 25 Jun 07
unknown, beckenham says...
2:44pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Charlie-x, beckenham/penge says...
2:45pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Lisa, Beckenham says...
2:45pm Mon 25 Jun 07
shannen...x, forest hill says...
2:47pm Mon 25 Jun 07
CONCERNED TEEN, blue bitz says...
2:47pm Mon 25 Jun 07
nt, says...
2:48pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Mick wrote:yep, if you look for trouble then you will find it. he did. hope the "yoofs" can understand why it happend and why it will happen again. because they cannot understand why it is wrong and stupid to go out acting like this..so who's next ?? !!!pathetic kids make me sick.
Gang fights don't just happen if you have parents who love you, if you're law abiding and if you're not in a gang. You could be unlucky and be murdered by a gang, but that is different. Ben went out to seriously hurt or kill someone, but he ended up dead himself. Such a lovely chap.
Lily, bromley says...
2:50pm Mon 25 Jun 07
shannen...x, forest hill says...
2:51pm Mon 25 Jun 07
sue, london says...
2:51pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Charlie-x, beckenham/penge says...
2:52pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Wallet, Bromley says...
2:52pm Mon 25 Jun 07
unknown, beckenham says...
2:52pm Mon 25 Jun 07
nikki, peckham says...
2:53pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Wallet, Bromley says...
2:53pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Drew, Penge says...
2:53pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Al wrote:Mate, you havn't got a clue what is going on, you don't know ben or his family so i suggest you go somewhere else..Fair enough ben was in a gang but at his age, in penge, what else is there for young kids to do? We need adults and the government to help rather than sit at home in their comfy chairs infront of their computers talking the most amount of rubbish i've ever heard. Also you would not like it if one of your loved ones or family memebers died and random strangers was saying nasty things about them? Im 17 years old, ben was a friend of mine and i miss him, so please have some more respect when it comes to these things!
Z, his parents couldn\'t have cared less where he was, just so long as he wasn\'t disturbing them.
shannen...x, forest hill says...
2:55pm Mon 25 Jun 07
gee, beckenham says...
2:56pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Drew, Penge says...
2:58pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Concerned, Bromley says...
2:58pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Drew, Penge says...
2:59pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Concerned wrote:if your so worried about it then help to solve it, if your not part of the equation, then your part of the problem by sitting back and doing fuc|< all !
I'm more worried about the appalling lack of proper English being used in replies than the matter in question. Reading it makes my head hurt.
The Don, UK says...
3:01pm Mon 25 Jun 07
JM, Beckenham says...
3:03pm Mon 25 Jun 07
ang, london says...
3:05pm Mon 25 Jun 07
gee, beckenham says...
3:08pm Mon 25 Jun 07
A Real Soldier, Kent says...
3:12pm Mon 25 Jun 07
JM, Beckenham says...
3:14pm Mon 25 Jun 07
gee wrote:Gee - I have an idea about what's going on as i work on a lot of estates in Brixton, Kennington etc, But what is the Government doing - education, money, trying to provide facilities. The amount of youth workers etc who i know who are tearing their hair out because there is nothing they can do to engage with some kids. Why is it the responsibility of the country? It is the responsibility of families and the community to bring up kids, and these links breaking down is what is causing the problems - you are right, this needs to be a wake up call and we ALL need to look at what we can do to address this situation and the way we are going in the UK
If that was a reply to my comment.Ido agree with you because i am the same i am making the best of my life but all i am saying is that to understand the way these kids are you have to realise what this country has done and is doing for them nothing. So they try the way they no how to survive which may be gangs. That is wrong but that is the way the world teaches in this day and age. This young lad did not deserve o die along with any other kid but please if his mates are reading these try and learn from this and dont extract more hate and become what the boys taht did this to yoyr friends have become a murderer. RIP Ben all the best to his family
gee, beckenham says...
3:16pm Mon 25 Jun 07
nt, says...
3:16pm Mon 25 Jun 07
A2K, Elmers End says...
3:17pm Mon 25 Jun 07
JohnK, London says...
3:20pm Mon 25 Jun 07
gee wrote:Well these kids obv have a desire to harm others and think they are soldiers......
I disagree with the army maybe national service but if you end up like 1 of my mates that go to war then you run the chance of coming back mentally unstable. Eg no 1 will go near him after a few beers as he is now crazy from the sights he saw. He is no 25 and doesnt talk 2 family
dave, beckenham says...
3:22pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Concerned, Bromley says...
3:25pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Drew wrote:What should one do about the problem then, hmm? Maybe invite everyone round for tea and biscuits and polite conversation?
Concerned wrote: I\'m more worried about the appalling lack of proper English being used in replies than the matter in question. Reading it makes my head hurt.if your so worried about it then help to solve it, if your not part of the equation, then your part of the problem by sitting back and doing fuc|< all !
Gavin, Croydon says...
3:32pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Shocked and Digusted, Penge says...
3:36pm Mon 25 Jun 07
ang, says...
3:36pm Mon 25 Jun 07
?, London says...
3:37pm Mon 25 Jun 07
ex, ex local says...
3:45pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Hugo, Bexley says...
3:48pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Fergus, Beckenham says...
3:50pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Wallet, Bromley says...
3:52pm Mon 25 Jun 07
? wrote:This is what I touched on in my first post today. The reference to turf wars was because this fight was over territory. Green Borough of Lewisham -v- Blue Borough of Bromley.
What is all this blue borough and green borough ? What activities does this gang do to entertain themselves apart from Massive street brawls ?
Hugo, Bexley says...
3:55pm Mon 25 Jun 07
? wrote:I think it is unfair to assume everyone is THICK just out of control and lack of respect, what has happended to families?
What is all this blue borough and green borough ? What activities does this gang do to entertain themselves apart from Massive street brawls ?
Alan, Beckenham says...
3:56pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Wallet, Bromley says...
3:56pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Wallet wrote:Sorry, Blue borough of Lewisham -v- Green Borough of Bromley! Apologies.
? wrote: What is all this blue borough and green borough ? What activities does this gang do to entertain themselves apart from Massive street brawls ?This is what I touched on in my first post today. The reference to turf wars was because this fight was over territory. Green Borough of Lewisham -v- Blue Borough of Bromley.
?, London says...
3:58pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Hugo wrote:I dont remember calling anyone thick ?
? wrote: What is all this blue borough and green borough ? What activities does this gang do to entertain themselves apart from Massive street brawls ?I think it is unfair to assume everyone is THICK just out of control and lack of respect, what has happended to families?
Gavin, Croydon says...
3:58pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Wallet wrote:Isn't it the other way round. Interestingly, this fight was on the border of green (bromley) and blue (lewisham). I guess we could build a huge wall between the two boroughs? :)
? wrote:This is what I touched on in my first post today. The reference to turf wars was because this fight was over territory. Green Borough of Lewisham -v- Blue Borough of Bromley.
What is all this blue borough and green borough ? What activities does this gang do to entertain themselves apart from Massive street brawls ?
ang, says...
4:00pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Gavin, Croydon says...
4:01pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Sarah K, London says...
4:01pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Bloods, says...
4:03pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Gavin wrote:yeah.....having the same colours would def. cure the problems.
Or maybe both boroughs could adopt the same colour scheme, that way there would be nothing to fight about.
Parker, Orpington says...
4:04pm Mon 25 Jun 07
CONCERNED TEEN wrote:The trouble is these kids only know how to resolve anything by fighting, stabbing whatever,or simple abusive language, they want to fight and make other people unhappy, because they are cowards themselves, but at the end of the day, they must love the idea of it, the gangs, the hurtful way they attack people, because they have nothing else better to do. NO EXCUSES - WHY NOT TAKE UP SPORT, OH sorry this is far too easy
all those adults who hipocriticly coment about the boy they didnt kno even tho they kno that in their childhood ther were some things they did wrong although it did not turn out as bad as this this is not the time for political or snoby comments its the time to greive and learn from a very young boys death, so you can keep your unsypathetic comment to yourselves.rip ben xxx
parker, orpington says...
4:09pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Bloods wrote:I understand your comments, but please can you at least check your spelling?
Gavin wrote: Or maybe both boroughs could adopt the same colour scheme, that way there would be nothing to fight about.yeah.....having the same colours would def. cure the problems.
CHRIS, says...
4:16pm Mon 25 Jun 07
quote
quote
Gavin, Croydon says...
4:19pm Mon 25 Jun 07
parker wrote:What's wrong with the spelling?
Bloods wrote:I understand your comments, but please can you at least check your spelling?
Gavin wrote: Or maybe both boroughs could adopt the same colour scheme, that way there would be nothing to fight about.yeah.....having the same colours would def. cure the problems.
AMBAR LEACHH, BECKENHAMM says...
4:21pm Mon 25 Jun 07
.., Penge says...
4:23pm Mon 25 Jun 07
liam, yorkshire says...
4:29pm Mon 25 Jun 07
gee, beckenham says...
4:31pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Chris, Beckenham says...
4:31pm Mon 25 Jun 07
gee, beckenham says...
4:33pm Mon 25 Jun 07
., says...
4:37pm Mon 25 Jun 07
gee, beckenham says...
4:40pm Mon 25 Jun 07
SHARKY, beckenham says...
4:43pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Sinead, Shortlands says...
4:44pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Nicole, Beckenham says...
4:44pm Mon 25 Jun 07
., says...
4:45pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Penge Mother, Penge says...
4:45pm Mon 25 Jun 07
claire, bromley says...
4:46pm Mon 25 Jun 07
ex wrote:I agree completely. A group of 13-16 year olds out at that time of night is ridiculous and asking for trouble. In fact it was the first comment i made when i heard about it. In some ways parents must be to blame as surely they must have some inkling what their kids get up to and why they aren't at home at that time of night.
Another death, and here we go again, lets blame the parents, lets blame society, no, blame these CRETINS, if we have to rely on them for the future, God help us. They know the difference between right and wrong, they knew it was wrong to carry out what they did, but did they care, of course not. You only have to read the response in the e-mails to know what they are like, Thick, Gobby Cretins. If they tell us he is a fallen soldier, to me that is an insult to real soldiers who fall in any conflict so to keep these brain dead idiots safe and tucked up in bed and have freedom to be out at 11.30. If they want to be soldiers, join up, train and fly out to the Middle East, and face the real possibilty of being \"A Fallen Soldier\". They have not got the guts, mouths yes, bottle no.
n, swanley says...
5:01pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Tasha, Kent says...
5:02pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Z wrote:Why would you say something so horrible, of course they cared..they are his parents!! you can not stay with someone 24 hours a day and teenagers are very good liars!!! have some respect!!!!!
Al wrote: Z, his parents couldn\\\\\\\'t have cared less where he was, just so long as he wasn\\\\\\\'t disturbing them.exactly
MH Beckenham, Beckenham says...
5:02pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Megannn&Rachell, se12 says...
5:08pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Penge Mum, says...
5:18pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Paulo, Bromley but not for much longer! says...
5:19pm Mon 25 Jun 07
x, Bromley says...
5:23pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Kate, Beckenham says...
5:23pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Drew, Penge says...
5:27pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Russiia, beckenham says...
5:27pm Mon 25 Jun 07
postive, Orpington says...
5:33pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Jo, Beckenham says...
5:33pm Mon 25 Jun 07
anon, orpington says...
5:41pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Drew, Penge says...
5:43pm Mon 25 Jun 07
TF Beck, Beckenham says...
5:44pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Wallet, Bromley says...
5:51pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Lisa, Beckenham says...
5:57pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Bazza, Downham says...
6:08pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Gordon, Petts Wood says...
6:15pm Mon 25 Jun 07
leanne, says...
6:21pm Mon 25 Jun 07
R.H,, Sadly I live in Beckenham says...
6:47pm Mon 25 Jun 07
shane, bromley says...
6:48pm Mon 25 Jun 07
r.i.p ben, says...
6:50pm Mon 25 Jun 07
dnt worri, says...
6:52pm Mon 25 Jun 07
MATT, BROCKLEY says...
6:59pm Mon 25 Jun 07
MATT, BROCKLY says...
7:03pm Mon 25 Jun 07
pat, orpington says...
7:34pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Anon, SE London says...
7:40pm Mon 25 Jun 07
D, Bromley says...
7:42pm Mon 25 Jun 07
R.H., Beckenham says...
7:45pm Mon 25 Jun 07
leah, lewisham says...
7:46pm Mon 25 Jun 07
lEE, bromely says...
7:53pm Mon 25 Jun 07
anoy, se london says...
8:00pm Mon 25 Jun 07
chaz, seLondon says...
8:03pm Mon 25 Jun 07
r.i.p ben wrote:If all the people involved were on their way to a party then why was they carrying pik-axe handles, metal poles and other home made weapons?? It may not have been planned for there and then but every1 involved choose to use weapons so something like this was bound to happen. I think all the kids involved should think how their families and friends would feel if it was them gettin burried. Do u all think this fight was worth it now? I dont think so. Next time think of the concerquence b4 u act. Rip Ben
all wat people is syain taht it was lanned it was not planeed ther was four of lads including ben going to a party n sadly the other boys was on there way to that part aswell, if someone starts a fightr with you am sure yur not gunna stand up and take the beatn ur gunna fight back so every needs to think about wat there saying because they wernt dere n neither was da press so u dnt knw wat exactly happend only if u was there r.i.p ben love you and am gunna miss you sooooooooo much at least ur in a betta place now.... STOP GUN && KNIFE CRIMEEEEE!!!
anonomous, kent says...
8:17pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Just Mehh, Penge says...
8:29pm Mon 25 Jun 07
LACiiAA &&* JORGiiAHH, BEKENHAMM says...
8:33pm Mon 25 Jun 07
A Mother, london says...
8:40pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Mel, Beckenham says...
8:47pm Mon 25 Jun 07
c, Bromley says...
8:54pm Mon 25 Jun 07
El, Beckenham says...
8:59pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Marie, kent says...
9:02pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Anon, Lewisham says...
9:20pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Taxpayer, London says...
10:15pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Dutch, Kent says...
10:16pm Mon 25 Jun 07
a mum, kent says...
10:30pm Mon 25 Jun 07
nt wrote:well said little Ben cant grow up and all those friends who he left behind, they had better grow up, or in a few years time thier kiddies will be doing the same, then kids it will be a whole different ball game. get out of it now!!!!
agreed rusco, if it was a member of the other lot killed, this lot would be whooping it up i bet, get a life kids stop thinking you sooo hard, you not. did any of you not think this would end in disaster? what did you think would happen....i tell you something. NONE OF YOU THINK thats the problem. now grow up...your mate Ben cant.
Anonne, Beckenham says...
10:31pm Mon 25 Jun 07
mjdj, se london says...
10:41pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Harbourmaster, The Streets says...
11:18pm Mon 25 Jun 07
me, says...
11:34pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Hanson, Bromley says...
11:49pm Mon 25 Jun 07
Maureen, South London says...
11:59pm Mon 25 Jun 07
whats happenin?, says...
12:02am Tue 26 Jun 07
annie, london says...
12:14am Tue 26 Jun 07
Steve Johnson, Bexley says...
12:14am Tue 26 Jun 07
EP wrote:It's no thanks to, presumably you mean, Mr Blair. It's thanks to those who cannot take responsibility for their own actions. You need to take a look a little closer to home before you start calling the kettle black.
The english here is atrocious, all thanks to mr Blair aka Bliar .
..., my place says...
12:23am Tue 26 Jun 07
C.L.L, Beckenham says...
1:10am Tue 26 Jun 07
Katie, SOUTH says...
1:14am Tue 26 Jun 07
Dani, Woolwich says...
4:22am Tue 26 Jun 07
c wrote:I completely agree.
Please people have a bit of respect and show a bit of decorum. What ever your views on the situation leading to Bens death, please remember that a mother has lost a child. I offer my heart felt condolences to his family.
tina, lewisham says...
7:43am Tue 26 Jun 07
The Don, UK says...
8:53am Tue 26 Jun 07
Lord St John, The country says...
8:55am Tue 26 Jun 07
Alii, Staines says...
9:18am Tue 26 Jun 07
Lynne, Bromley says...
9:26am Tue 26 Jun 07
Mr Felch, Bromley says...
9:47am Tue 26 Jun 07
Stacey, Orpington says...
9:48am Tue 26 Jun 07
Naz, Compton says...
9:49am Tue 26 Jun 07
PlasticGangstaz, Compton,SouthCentral LA says...
9:51am Tue 26 Jun 07
Member of the public, Dartford says...
10:33am Tue 26 Jun 07
J, bromley says...
10:41am Tue 26 Jun 07
Sensible, Not Lewisham ! says...
10:42am Tue 26 Jun 07
Lord St John, The country says...
10:44am Tue 26 Jun 07
Anon, Kent says...
10:45am Tue 26 Jun 07
Chris, Beckenham says...
11:10am Tue 26 Jun 07
vex, penge says...
11:25am Tue 26 Jun 07
Lisselu wrote:dickhead who gives u the right to make a comment on things that dont concern u nobody told u to come on this website and put ur 2 pence worths! KMT
Oh and by the way, your mate is not \\\'safe\\\', he\\\'s DEAD. How does that make you feel?
Lee, Bromley says...
11:26am Tue 26 Jun 07
ii JUST CANT B3Lii3V3 H33S GON3 DiiDNT 3XACTUALii3 NO3 DAH BOii.. JUSS SHOWiiN MAH R3SP3CT STiiLL..
R ii P B3N AKA SWiiP3
GON3 BUTT N3VAH FORGOTT3N..
vex, penge says...
11:32am Tue 26 Jun 07
JM wrote:how dare u! come on to this website and disrespect his memory like this ur coming talking bout 'underclass' u need to recognise that the only person who is underclass is u ****!! wen and if sometthing happens to someone u love then and only then are u permitted to speak! so u stay in ur 'upperclass'place and see how far that gets u
Fallen soldier? A 16 year old kid isn't a soldier, and these things don't happen to decent people. My thoughts are with the young man's family but it is just a symptom of what is happening in our society, what kind of lofe can you have if you get involved in all of this - and as we can see from the posts of the kids on here, what future have they got? As a father of a young child with another on the way I am for the first time starting to worry about them growing up around here, how do we deal with the underclass, and how can we keep away from them?
John, says...
11:36am Tue 26 Jun 07
?, ? says...
11:37am Tue 26 Jun 07
Rich, says...
11:48am Tue 26 Jun 07
saycha and jess, penge says...
11:51am Tue 26 Jun 07
joe, penge says...
12:04pm Tue 26 Jun 07
JM, Beckenham says...
12:05pm Tue 26 Jun 07
vex wrote:I've got every right to comment on what happens in my community, and in all my posts i have expressed my sympathy for the needless loss of life. And i don't consider myself to be upperclass, far from it. My concern is the breakdown of our communities and how it can be addressed. And before anyone starts on about getting off my backside to do something about it, i can assure you I am trying....
JM wrote: Fallen soldier? A 16 year old kid isn't a soldier, and these things don't happen to decent people. My thoughts are with the young man's family but it is just a symptom of what is happening in our society, what kind of lofe can you have if you get involved in all of this - and as we can see from the posts of the kids on here, what future have they got? As a father of a young child with another on the way I am for the first time starting to worry about them growing up around here, how do we deal with the underclass, and how can we keep away from them?how dare u! come on to this website and disrespect his memory like this ur coming talking bout 'underclass' u need to recognise that the only person who is underclass is u ****!! wen and if sometthing happens to someone u love then and only then are u permitted to speak! so u stay in ur 'upperclass'place and see how far that gets u
Paula, LONDON says...
12:13pm Tue 26 Jun 07
Lynne wrote:You say that kids do this out of boredom, when I am bored I do my homework or talk to my friends on the phone or even speak to them on MSN Messenger which is a type of chat programme where we can speak to our friends over the internet.
My condolences to Ben's family. This whole thing must be horrendous for them. No parent should have to bury their own child in these circumstances.
But take a step back here some of you people and have a read over some of these posts.
The 'Attitude' is jumping off the pages from the youngsters.
They blame everyone for their behaviour, except themselves.
I's all about gangs these day's. To them Ben was a great person, maybe he was, on his own, but in a gang I don't think so.
To them he is now a fallen hero, I won't say soldier because that would be an insult to every serving soldier in this country.
He is no hero, he is DEAD, GONE, WHY?
If this was a fight that was not planned why were there weapons involved?
Why are kids of that age on the streets at that time of night carrying weapons?
If it was something that spilled over from a party, why was it not just old fashioned fists
To you people in Beckenham worried about your house prices, if that murder had been a few yards further along the road it would have been a Catford problem. Beckenham is not such a great place to live these days, like everywhere else. Do YOU really know where your kids are a night? who they are with? or do you only know what they tell you?
To he rest of you people who hope lessons have been learned, they won't have.
The gang will be plotting revenge, the other gang have something to brag about.
My gang is better than your gang.
Most of these kids belong to gangs because if they don't they get picked on. A lot of them, on heir own are ok, but in a gang hey become different people.
Who really care's if they are black or white or any colour in between.
The kids blame adults because we dont do anything for them, they have nothing to do, so they make their own entertainment, intimidate and abuse adults, damage property, vehicles, graffitti their tags everywhere.
So whats the answer?
come on all you adults.
I know what my answer would be, but lets hear some of yours
joe, London says...
12:30pm Tue 26 Jun 07
Sakrid green borough, bromley says...
12:30pm Tue 26 Jun 07
Lynne, Bromley says...
12:53pm Tue 26 Jun 07
The Don, UK says...
12:57pm Tue 26 Jun 07
Tiggy, says...
1:10pm Tue 26 Jun 07
Beckenham Bill, Beckenham says...
1:15pm Tue 26 Jun 07
kt, says...
1:19pm Tue 26 Jun 07
Tiggy wrote:are you "trying to be down with the kids" or are you david cameron in disguise. for gods sake. i give it a week tops before another child carps it due to stupidity
I cant believe some of the comments from the so called adults on here. Im totally shocked at the person who blamed the parents, I remember saying I was somewhere else when I wasnt its what kids do. As for there grammer so what?? If you dont like reading it then go busy yourselves elsewhere. So no-one ever heard of Cockney Rhyming Slang??? Or is that just used by gangs to?? Although I dont condone gangs and violence etc certain people on here winding kids up are the reason some people get attacked in the first place. Adults show some respect and you may get some back!!! Kids dont worry some Adults that are making these comment on here post everyday on every article and are always trying to cause trouble and upset so just goes to show how sad they really are!!
., says...
1:22pm Tue 26 Jun 07
LL, Kent says...
1:26pm Tue 26 Jun 07
becks, Beckenham says...
1:32pm Tue 26 Jun 07
Beckenham Bill wrote:Absolutely agree with you Bill.
Reading all of the above is truly depressing. Are we to believe that this Ben had a shining future? I find that really hard to believe because the kids he hung around with are all barely literate. He wanted to be a gangster and he got his wish. Its terrible for his family but Ben did this to them as much as anyone else. Ben was never going to find a cure for cancer or do anything wortwhile with his life. He thought criminality was something to be admired. Unfortunately he wasn't quite as tough as he pretended to be on YouTube. I'm sick of all these pathetic cowardly mugs bowling round my area pretending to be CRIPs. I wish they would all fight to the death.
Sky, Beckenham says...
1:41pm Tue 26 Jun 07
Im totally shocked at the person who blamed the parents, I remember saying I was somewhere else when I wasnt its what kids do.
Ross Kemp, Beckenham says...
1:52pm Tue 26 Jun 07
n, swanley says...
1:58pm Tue 26 Jun 07
Vix, Orpington says...
2:13pm Tue 26 Jun 07
amazed!!, Bromley says...
2:27pm Tue 26 Jun 07
anon, nearby says...
2:28pm Tue 26 Jun 07
Vix, Orpington says...
2:43pm Tue 26 Jun 07
Me, Kent says...
2:57pm Tue 26 Jun 07
kt, says...
2:57pm Tue 26 Jun 07
Vix wrote:look luv, people are sick to death of kids running riot, ruling the streets, intimidating decent folk etc then when something happens to one of their own they are bleating of the injustice of it all. remember dennis sudlow, did he deserve to die ? kids tormented him so much he chased them and went under a bus-decapitated i think. **** kids i'm sick of the whining lot of 'em grow up or shut up (this was not aimed at you)
I'm not trying to say he was innocent.. no-one that night was innocent.. and yeah he had weapons.. so therefore im not missing the point there.. the point i'm trying to make is that the people that killed him had weapons too.. it cant just be put down to ben and his mates having the weapons.. There is no excuse for it.. the fight shouldn't of happened.. and perhaps they shouldn't have been out.. but they were.. it happened.. now he's gone.. people shouldn't be as harsh as they are being on this.
Sally, Beckenham says...
3:03pm Tue 26 Jun 07
parker, orpington says...
3:46pm Tue 26 Jun 07
a father, says...
3:57pm Tue 26 Jun 07
Why?, London says...
4:03pm Tue 26 Jun 07
anon, nearby says...
4:04pm Tue 26 Jun 07
Tris the toff, london village says...
4:10pm Tue 26 Jun 07
Z, London says...
4:15pm Tue 26 Jun 07
s, beckenham says...
4:21pm Tue 26 Jun 07
Tiggy, says...
4:28pm Tue 26 Jun 07
n wrote:I do have kids! Whats your point??
TIGGY HAVE YOU GOT KIDS? I AM A MOTHER OF 5 TWO OF THEM TEENAGERS I WORRY ABOUT LETTING THEM GO TO THE LOCAL SHOP YEARS AGO KIDS HAD RESPECT FOR ADULTS HOW ON EARTH CAN YOU RESPECT KIDS WHO WALK AROUND WITH WEAPONS KILLING EACHTHER ANDFRIGHTENING OLD PEOPLE WHO FAUGHT FOR OUR COUNTRY. PARENT DO HAVE TO TAKE SOME RESPONSABIITY I HAVE 3 TOODERLRSAS WELL AND IF THEY DO WRONG THEY GET SMACKED IF I LET THEM GET AWAY IT NOW THEY WILL WALK OVER ME AND RULE OUR STREETS IN YEARS TO COME KIDS SHOULD RESPECT THIER ELDERS AS FOR COMMENTS MADE BY SAYING KIDS ARE BORED COME ON DID YOU HAVE ALL THIS MODERN TECH WHEN YOU WERE A CHLD I THINK NOT. I CME FROM A SINGLE PARENT FAMILY GROWIN UP I THE 70/80S AD I DIDNT NEED WEAPONS TO HAVE FUN NOR DD I HAVE PSP XBX AND PCS KIDS YOU ALL KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING
g man, orpington says...
4:37pm Tue 26 Jun 07
r.i.p ben wrote:? ? ?
all wat people is syain taht it was lanned it was not planeed ther was four of lads including ben going to a party n sadly the other boys was on there way to that part aswell, if someone starts a fightr with you am sure yur not gunna stand up and take the beatn ur gunna fight back so every needs to think about wat there saying because they wernt dere n neither was da press so u dnt knw wat exactly happend only if u was there r.i.p ben love you and am gunna miss you sooooooooo much at least ur in a betta place now.... STOP GUN && KNIFE CRIMEEEEE!!!
angie, says...
5:02pm Tue 26 Jun 07
Paul, Penge says...
5:03pm Tue 26 Jun 07
AWARE, beckenham says...
5:04pm Tue 26 Jun 07
Tiggy, says...
5:06pm Tue 26 Jun 07
AWARE, beckenham says...
5:08pm Tue 26 Jun 07
angie, says...
5:10pm Tue 26 Jun 07
carol, london says...
5:14pm Tue 26 Jun 07
Paul, Penge says...
5:18pm Tue 26 Jun 07
Aware, beckenham says...
5:28pm Tue 26 Jun 07
mrsr, kent says...
5:33pm Tue 26 Jun 07
adam, says...
5:47pm Tue 26 Jun 07
n, swanley says...
5:58pm Tue 26 Jun 07
Jo, St Mary Cray says...
6:07pm Tue 26 Jun 07
resident, In the town that used to be so quiet and pretty says...
6:25pm Tue 26 Jun 07
John, Beckenham Hill Road says...
2:03pm Sun 24 Jun 07
R.I.P.