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Mother's tribute to stabbed schoolboy

4:47pm Tuesday 26th June 2007

comment 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.

  • News Shopper has set up a condolence page for friends or family of Ben to post messages. To visit the page click here
  • Click on the video below to watch a tribute to Ben on YouTube.


Your Say YourNews Shopper

John, Beckenham Hill Road says...
2:03pm Sun 24 Jun 07

Too much killings in London. I wondered why there were a police van and police car driving around the estate - I couldn't believe it when i found out what happened from another source.

R.I.P.

jj, Penge says...
4:28pm Sun 24 Jun 07

R I P Swipe

CASSIE, kent says...
4:32pm Sun 24 Jun 07

STOP KNIFE CRIME TO MANY KIDS ARE DIEIN FOR NO REASON RIP TO THIS BOY AND REST IN PEICE TO BUSTER WHU WAS ALSO 16 AND GOT KILLED BY A KNIFE FOR NO REASON

miss davies, beckenham says...
4:45pm Sun 24 Jun 07

I couldn't believe my eyes last night when i saw around 50 youths ( mainly black) running towards each other. I live in Calverley Close Off of Southend road and I was in a car with my friends on our way home, as I overlooked upon the caous all i could see was bottles smashing and hear people screaminG. I even saw one person carrying a large metal pole. There were youths absolutley everywhere, running into the road and getting hit by cars. Me and my friends dialled 999. Me and my partner could see a few people lying on the floor, one seemed to be white and had about 10 people crowded around him ( we later learned that he had died).The police showed up followed by a paramedic and then finally the ambulance. Never in my life have I seen such a violent and viscous attack.

Kelly, London says...
5:05pm Sun 24 Jun 07

Black on white was it miss davies yer we get alot of that and it don't get recorded.

real eye witness, blue bis says...
5:18pm Sun 24 Jun 07

whoever you have in your article saying that they were an eye witness does not know what he i talkin about. being a witness on the bus, i saw the gang from penge plan their ambush on those walking back to lewisham. the gang from penge including the white boy who got stabbed then got off the bus and made chase

Jason Bridge, Beckenham says...
5:34pm Sun 24 Jun 07

This happened right outside my home, and terrifying is absolutely the right word. Both 'sides' obviously knew what they were doing, and presumably met in this location as it is usually quiet, giving them plenty of time before any police arrived.

Simon, Beckenham says...
5:41pm Sun 24 Jun 07

I think we have a gang member and witness in our midst, in the form of JJ from Penge, who has posted on here. I cannot believe tyhis has happened in Beckenham.

donut, sutton says...
6:46pm Sun 24 Jun 07

This is the liberal/lawless world you all voted for! get used to it.

Liberty, the howard league and Guardian readers must be delighted as their, look after the criminal approach is going the way we new it would.

So glad i'm going to OZ!

Lisa, Beckenham says...
7:11pm Sun 24 Jun 07

I'm just wondering if any of these 'kids' stop to think about the consequence of their actions? Yet another set of parents have to bury their child ; my heart goes out to the family. 'Kids', please stop to think what the world will be like when you have children - god forbid, they haven't got a hope in hells chance.....

EmmaDott, bekenham says...
8:19pm Sun 24 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..

CharlOtt3..x, Beckenham hill roaddd says...
8:21pm Sun 24 Jun 07

I Saw The People Who Done It..I Thiink..They Went Through My Estate..At Aboutt..11;00..and there was 8..then one trailing bhindd..wiff his phone but i didnt see there faces but i think they was black dohh

AMY, BROMLEY says...
8:21pm Sun 24 Jun 07

R.ii.P SWiiPE ALWAYS REMEBERED..X

YoungerReapah, Penge Blocks says...
8:33pm Sun 24 Jun 07

Rest In Peace Swipe
24.06.07
U MYT B GNE BT NT 4GOTIN INIT
YoungerReapah.....
Penge Blocks..2k7...

STEPHEN, bromley says...
8:45pm Sun 24 Jun 07

jj wrote:
R I P Swipe
man u will be miss. we will never forget a tru fallen soilder.
penge blok all day

RIP SWIIPE ALLS BE REMEMBED

remi, penge se20 says...
8:49pm Sun 24 Jun 07

.r.i.p. swipe missing you alwayz

remi, .r.i.p. swipe says...
8:52pm Sun 24 Jun 07

i will all-wayz remember you and i will never ever 4 get you

Honey, Beckenham says...
8:58pm Sun 24 Jun 07

R.I.P Ben, cant believe this happened to you, you didnt deserve this. always remeber you .. x

Tony, Eltham says...
9:02pm Sun 24 Jun 07

10 years of a Blair government and this is what he leaves us with. Cheers Blair you did a great job by cutting crime!!!. My last desperate thought for a country already out of control is to bring back the death penalty, you can't change these people they like who they have become, there's no threat to them which ultimately makes this once proud country lawless!!!

PENGE GIRLZ HOW OVER LOVE BEN HITCH ****, penge se20 says...
9:09pm Sun 24 Jun 07

WERE REALLY SORRY THAT BEN HITCHCOCK AKA SWIPE DIED WE HATE THE FACT THAT HE ANIT AROUND US ANY MORE COZ WEN WE SEE ALL HIS MATE AGAIN WE EXPECT TO SEE HIM IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ALL YOU WILL ALL WAYZ BE LOVED AND REMEBERD ON THE BLOCK AND YOU WILL ALL WAYZ WILL BE SWIPE ALL DAY EVERY DAY SORRY THIS HAPPENED TO YOU WITCH YOU DIDNT DESERVE IN LOVING MEMORY PENGE GIRLZ PS. DEMI REMI RUDI GRACE AND NOT THE REMI HU ROTE DAT THING BOUT MUSLIMS

CharlOotteDohtt..x, Beckenham Hill Roadd..x says...
9:18pm Sun 24 Jun 07

RiiP SwiipeDoht..&&BlessJ


ake&&Louiee(L) YOURR SAFEE NOWWW..XXX

Maddiee, Penge... says...
9:25pm Sun 24 Jun 07

RIP BEN WE WILL NEVA FORGET U...IM FEELIN FOR U TWO LIL BRUVAS RYT NOW.. I KNO HOW MUCH THEY LOVED YOOH.. THEY SAW U AS A SAINT.... YOUR SAFE NOW ... R.I.P.
bold
****

Sharn, Penge says...
9:25pm Sun 24 Jun 07

We Need 2 stop the crime and death rate of young people...
R.ii.P BEN aka SWIPE
we will all miss yooh! xoxoxox

ELMZ, BECKNHAM says...
10:01pm Sun 24 Jun 07

R.I.P SWIPE U ALWAYS BEEN KNON IN GREEN BROUGH

EP, says...
10:02pm Sun 24 Jun 07

The english here is atrocious, all thanks to mr Blair aka Bliar .

mother, bexleyheath says...
10:11pm Sun 24 Jun 07

RIP Child, for one mother to another how i feel for you and your family at this time, to lose a child words cannot express my feelings.

Lisselu, Beckenham says...
10:56pm Sun 24 Jun 07

Comments on postings: EP, you are totally right, not sure though if Blair is to blame? mother, as one to another, i know i would never recover from this if this were my son, as i am sure all of the mums would agree; and to you idiots that continue to behave this way; well there is no hope - you will be the death of us.

Lisselu, Beckenham says...
11:02pm Sun 24 Jun 07

Oh and by the way, your mate is not 'safe', he's DEAD. How does that make you feel?

ItsDatChiick.., SouthEastSidez.. says...
12:16am Mon 25 Jun 07

Jus Wnna Say R.I.P BEN.H AKA SWIPE- FALLEN SOLDIER...U WOZ SOO YOUNG DIDNT DESERVE TO DIE MANN SWEAR DWN...U HAD UR LIFE AHEAD OF U..U MAY B GONE PHYSICALLY BUH JUS KNW DAT U WILL NEVA B 4GOTTEN...DEM BLOCKZ SIDEZ..BOII DOEZ HEADZ DAT DID IT R GONNA HVE 2 LIVE WIV BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS 4 LYF...
DUNNO HU DEY FINK DEY R TO TAKE SUM1'Z LYK AWAY BUH BOIII...MA LOVE IS SENT OUT TO DA FAMM..PRAYERS R WIV YUUH AT DIS MOMENT OF TIME..TAKE CAREEE..ONCE AGEN I LOVE U BENN..UR NEVA GONNA B 4GOTTEN!

EmmaDott, Bekenham says...
7:44am Mon 25 Jun 07

Jakee And Louiie Fiinkiing Of Yoo Boiiz..(L)

R ii P
SWiiP3..(W)

x, kent says...
10:34am Mon 25 Jun 07

this is what happens when kids play at being big boy games!not so cool now,eh,;your safe now;what a load of crap,the girls sound as bad as the lads,my god ur parents must be so proud.get indoors and play with ur toys children.

LACiiAA &&* JORGiiAHH, BECKENHAMM says...
10:35am Mon 25 Jun 07

R.ii.P BEN . WEE NEVARHH EXACTLiiE NEW YOOH BUH FROM WHATT WEE HERDD YOOH WASS A BAREE NiiCE PERSONN.

YOOR GONE BUHH NEVARHH FORGOTTENN

R.ii.P
JORGiiAHH AND LACiiAA
2K7

x, kent says...
10:49am Mon 25 Jun 07

um he sounds ;a bare nice person;walking around with chains,pickaxe handles,yeah every child dos that,anyway get 2 school children sat there emailin or ur mum will get a fine! bare nice! what a load of old s***

fedup, Beckenham says...
10:54am Mon 25 Jun 07

To Ben, aka Swipe's friends - I'm really sorry for your loss, but will any of you step forward and do anything about this? Help the police maybe? I hope so. Some of the posts on this forum are a depressing glimpse at the background of what happened on Saturday night.


loraine, says...
11:12am Mon 25 Jun 07

i am so sick of hearing young and old people being murdered in gang fights this boy hadn't even begun his life it is terrible the police should be on every street to be able to stop all this when i was young you didnt hear of so much killings now i hear about it every day my thoughts go out to this young boys family and friends

beck, Beckenham says...
11:29am Mon 25 Jun 07

What do you expect from a generation who had it drummed into them by the PC liberals that they don't have to take responsibility for their own actions?

I doubt anyone who was involved in this could ever be described as "nice".

mk, Beckenham says...
11:30am Mon 25 Jun 07

I agree with everything Tony from Eltham says. What is happening in this country, soon it will be gun culture that rules the streets. And as for the 'text' talk in posts above, what is that all about? How are you going to exploit that use of the English language in any job you may have in the future?

fedup, Beckenham says...
11:52am Mon 25 Jun 07

When did "bare" become an acceptable or even vaguely understandable way, of spelling "very"?

Ella.., Penge.. says...
11:57am Mon 25 Jun 07

R.I.P ben hunii.. uu wil alwaiis be loved and remembered!
Love yooh loads ****

JM, Beckenham says...
12:06pm Mon 25 Jun 07

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?

Aaron, Sydenham says...
12:13pm Mon 25 Jun 07

R.I.P Ben! ''This was a targedy that happened,and something that you and your family didn't deserve''.
''These gang wars need to stop right now,enough is enough,lives are being lost ,over what area you come from,its pathetic,and at the end of the day its the parents who suffer,no parent should have to bury their own child,especially not in these circumstances,my thoughts are with ben and his family''.
quote

DANNY, penge says...
12:15pm Mon 25 Jun 07

gone but neva forgetton bye ben

Kay, Penge says...
12:38pm Mon 25 Jun 07

I'm ap palled by some of the comments left.I think the police really need to investigate the kids or should I say gang members who claim to be Ben's friends. Surely some of them know who Ben's killers are or do they plan to take the law into their own hands ??!!! Sort it out kids and do yourselves a favour and go learn something in school instead of chatting your pathetic gang lingo !!!!

R H, Beckenham says...
12:46pm Mon 25 Jun 07

I agree totally with JM of Beckenham, this is a 16 year old boy, not a soldier. If you run with a gang and fight other gangs this is what happens. If he was at home with his family at 11.30pm he'd still be here now. This tragic death just shows how pathetic loyalty to a gang is, he paid with his life for being a gang/group member. Where were his parents at 11.30pm? When my son was 16 he was not wandering the streets looking for a fight with other gangs. lets hope that other members of the gangs in question will realise that with one dead and others facing hefty jail sentances, being members of a gang is as stupid as it gets.

jayne, beckenham says...
12:53pm Mon 25 Jun 07

What are a group of 16yr olds doing out at half past 11 at night?? Where did their parents think they were?

H x, Penge says...
1:19pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Why dont you stop worrying about our 'lingo' and us using the term 'soilder' this was a boy who meant alot to many ppl. We all make mistakes but no1 one should pay with their lives. Why dont you get off your high horse commenting on a child and his mourning friends and comment on an article which truly and emotionlly effects you, because no one cares for your political views there is no debate here just the loss of an amazin boy. R.I.P Ben x x

Rusco, Bromley says...
1:32pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Amazing boy? He turned up for a "gang" fight, by all accounts "tooled" up.
He put himself in that situation. I have the deepest sympathy for his family as they are obviously suffering and had no idea of what their little boy was out doing with his evenings.
I only hope this is a lesson to all the kids that think London is the new bronx. Maybe we should send them all to spend a week in The Bronx and see how that has an affect on them. I guarantee they will all come back crying to their mummy's - if they do come back at all!!
Wake up kids! Do you not see how this disregard for human life is pathetic?? What do you actually stand to gain from acting in this way??
Wake up and smell the Panda Pop, go and kick a ball about, not each other!!

9, Bromley says...
1:38pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Would this "amazin boy" you keep talking about have stabbed one of the other gang if he had been able to? Or had he accidentaly turned up for a gang fight, armed?

nt, says...
1:39pm Mon 25 Jun 07

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.

forgoodnesssake, says...
1:40pm Mon 25 Jun 07

I respect that this is a public place to pay your condolences, and I have no doubt that there is a possibility that Ben, (aka Swipe) was a completely innocent party in this huge, violent meeting. Mourn him of course, but don't bloody celebrate him as a hero.

Joyce, Catford says...
1:45pm Mon 25 Jun 07

First of all, I send my sympathy to Ben's parents, as they have to now bury a son, and for what? I however wonder why people seem so surprised, angry, etc as to why someone has been killed when it seems thats exactly what he went out to do, maybe not kill but to do as mush damage as possible. He was in a gang, he had a weapon, he went to fight. Hey. I don't know the answer, but if the young men and women continue, they will kill off thier generation so I wont have to worry about what kind of society my young children will be growing up in. HURRY UP as you lot can't find anything better to do. And to all the parents of the children who were there on Saturday night, congratulations for bringing up such wonderful children

matt, bromley says...
1:46pm Mon 25 Jun 07

What is this word Soilder. Grow up and learn some respect this is Beckenham not L.A. Think for yourselves

Anon, thamesmead says...
1:57pm Mon 25 Jun 07

I cannot believe the English used by what I assume to be people from the same peer group as this young boy. Incredible poor and just reflects on the youth of today.This 'street lingo' is illegible and pointless.
(I am a 26year old man and cannot believe the posts above)

Also, it is very sad that people believe him to be a 'fallen soldier' what on earth do you think being a soldier is about exactly ?
Being a soldier instills respect for the law, your self and a sense of morality.
Not this wannabe South Central LA gangbanger cr*p.
Its so sad that young uneducated people look upto this rubbish.

Deepest Sympathy to his parents and family
but if he is running with a gang of hoodlums at 11o'clock at night, most of whom are carrying weapons and obv. out for a fight.....then the inevitable will happen.
that is just the reality of the situation.

Wallet, Bromley says...
1:58pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Sadly what we are seeing here is the latest "trend" or "fad". To copy our neighbours from across the pond. Seeing "black" gang culture as the "in thing". This will only come to an end when or if kids realise that they don't have to do what their mates say. My kids are teenagers and I'm terrified that they'll be sucked into this idiotic behaviour. Kids MUST think for themselves. They MUST avoid the sheep mentality and realise that following others is a sign of huge weakness, not of strength. I have deep sympathy for Ben's family and I hope that all kids reading this wake up and smell the coffee. Gangs and turf war is for weak, small minded futureless cretins.

Al, Croydon says...
1:59pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Funny how everyone says he was such a nice guy. He was "down to earth, caring, loving". I can see how down to earth, caring and loving he and his mates were with their pick-axe handles, metal scaffolding poles and other homemade weapons swinging above their heads. We need zero tolerance policing back - these kids give no benefit to society as they are now. In 10 years time, if they are all alive, what beneficial jobs will they all be doing? They are wasting their lives because their parents don't care about them, their teachers have less rights than the kids and the police are no where to be seen. Sadly not one of those gang members will learn anything about this boy's death other than trying to get revenge.

9, bromley says...
2:07pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Couldn't agree more Al. They went looking for a fight and one of them died. It could just as easily have been one of the rival gang members.

It wasn't an accident. It was murder.

He was apparently the joker of the group. I wonder if his "mates" found it funny watching him bleed to death.

Bombjack, Shortlands says...
2:09pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Spot on Rusco.

We see plenty of these "Amazing Boys" hanging around Beckenham/Bromley. Violent little thugs - going nowhere with their lives.

My sympathies only go out to the decent people of Beckenham - who have to put up with these lowlifes.

And as for the "text" speak in here - how do you people actually manage to breath in and out all day with that level of intelligence? Frightening

Disgusted with this country, Beckenham says...
2:10pm Mon 25 Jun 07

I cannot believe what this country is turning into, everyday you hear about another stabbing or shooting it is disgraceful that these people go out with weapons looking for a fight. And the fact that there is no punishment for the thugs that murder is the reason that it is happening day in day out. And to all those out looking for fights at the weekends you all need to grow up and get a life, start getting the most out of life and live the life that unfortunatly your friend Ben can't. There is a big wide world out there and there is help for all of you but fighting is not the answer! What ever happened to a little scrap with fist, you guys who go 'tooled' up are weak and pathetic. Seriuosly sort your lives out, just stop and think, the next time you might be targeted and just imagine how your loving parents and families will feel having to bury their young child, is it really worth all the pain and grief it causes, no i think not!

Z, Kent says...
2:11pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Sounds like a lovely young boy.


This boy could quiet easily be the one who has committed murder of a member of the opposing gang.

How can his parents explain their obv lack of concern/care regarding their sons whereabouts at 11.30pm at night ?

Poor fallen soldier ?? yeah right...another stupid child dies unnecessarily

Al, Croydon says...
2:13pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Bombjack, they have very little intelligence, that's the problem. Educate them and give them parental love and discipline and maybe they can develop some intelligence. They are all still kids but the parents would rather they wander the streets than look after them. What chance do they have to get some education? No surprise it was a Kelsey Park kid either.

Al, Croydon says...
2:15pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Z, his parents couldn't have cared less where he was, just so long as he wasn't disturbing them.

Lily, Bromley says...
2:18pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Have Some Respect Would You .. A Kids Just Been Stabbed And Your All On Here Arguing And Making Pathetic Comments To Eachother About The Way They Speak .. And From Looking At These .. No Wonder Why So Many People Are Getting Killed .. The Adults On Here Are As Bad As The Rest .. Starting Pathetic Arguements And Making Comments That Nobody Wants To Here .. Let Ben Rest In Peace .. And Everyone Who Is Coming On Here Not Writing Anything Suffiecent Useful Or Just To Pay There Regards Then Grow Up My Thoughts Are With The Family And Friends
RIP BEN
x

Z, Kent says...
2:19pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Al wrote:
Z, his parents couldn't have cared less where he was, just so long as he wasn't disturbing them.
exactly

Simon Bull, web editor, News Shopper says...
2:22pm Mon 25 Jun 07

News Shopper has set up a condolence page for friends or family of Ben to post messages. To visit the page go to newsshopper.co.uk/
news/condolence

nt, says...
2:24pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Rest in peace Ben !???
he doesnt want to do that, i'm sure he would much rather be alive dont you? it was obvious someone was going to be killed there, i bet he didnt think it would be him tho - no-one does. why have respect for someone who went out deliberately to hurt/maim/kill, i dont have respect for anyone like that.

Charlie-x, beckenham/penge says...
2:25pm Mon 25 Jun 07

ARGH! why are peOple bein sO **** rude abOut it. theres nO need
hee was a lOvley bOy even thOugh i didnt knOw him aswell as his brOthers he baught my friend ice cream and all sOrts!, he was just One Of the nicest peOple. and sO what is he was part Of a gang, yOu cant say yOu wernt when yOu were yOung unless tO wer a ners =| sO just stOp **** and pay yOur respects =(
R.I.P Ben. yOu will be missed. sleep tight xxx

Al, Croydon says...
2:27pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Lily, everyone sympathises with his family, no one should die so young. BUT, you can't escape the fact that Ben and his friends had weapons designed to harm at 11.30pm. Is it any wonder someone got hurt? Rather than avoiding such a big issue like you would rather do, this is exactly the time to reach out to the gangs when they can see the repercussions. I don't think Ben was killed because adults are despairing over the state of young adults and children today.

Charlie-x, Croydon says...
2:31pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Charlie-x - PLEASE, how was Ben a lovely boy when he was out at 11.30pm in a gang fight with pick-axe handles, metal scaffolding poles and other homemade weapons? How does that make him a nice boy? I had groups of mates when I was young when I played football in the park, yeah. I never wore a hoody so the police or residents couldn't recognise me and got into fights at 11.30pm. If you think that is nice, I'd hate to meet someone you think is horrible!!

Lily, bromley says...
2:32pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Thats The Most Stupid Thing Ive Ever Heard .. Maybe He Would Rather Be Alive .. Dont You Think Everyone That Dies Or Gets Killed Would!! .. To Be Honest With You .. You Dont Even Know The Boy Or Whats Happened .. Just From Reading It On Here!! If There Such Kids And Stupid Children .. Stop Bloody Moaning About Them Obviously The Government Arent Going To Do Anything About So Why Dont You All Get Off Your Arses And Do Something To Get Kids Off The Street Yourself And Maybe Then Stuff Like This WOULDNT Happen
Once Again RIP BEN
x

Anon, kent says...
2:34pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Charlie,
can yOu translate please ?


' unless tO wer a ners =| sO just stOp'

Surely typing like this takes 3-4 times as long ?

Charlie-x, beckenham/penge says...
2:35pm Mon 25 Jun 07

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 :(

H, SE London says...
2:38pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Charlie-x wrote:
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 :(
is it not fair to say this boy, who was so nice, could have easliy been the one committing a murder on sat nite ?

shannen...x, forest hill says...
2:38pm Mon 25 Jun 07

i really dnt understand why every one is stressin out , every one should be writin nice remembering loving things not a battle between how yung kid speak or write the fact is that a young boy got killed by ova young boys in a gang fight and yes it is a big deal but people are gettin through it but only just every one needs to stop hatin .....ben i didnt even no u just through talk of my mates R.I.P.............<3

Wallet, Bromley says...
2:39pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Lily - Respect is something that is earned. Unfortunately we, (and I use "we" to express the thoughts of most of the adults in this country)are sick to death of reading yet another story of yet another weak child being killed. Adults HAVE to express opinions, and undoubtedly they will be opinions not shared by anyone involved in gang culture. It will be adults that stop this behaviour, either by a change in the law or by imposing curfews on their children or by educating kids that there is no future in dying young. We do care and that is precisely why were are posting comments on here. If I had to bury one of my kids because of some senseless behaviour I don't think I'd be able to live with myself.

Mick, Penge says...
2:39pm Mon 25 Jun 07

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.

Al, Croydon says...
2:43pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Charlie-x. I respect you for coming on here, you must miss Ben and be upset. I also respect you for putting together an argument and engaging, but I fail to see how you can justify gang culture?

shannen...x, forest hill says...
2:43pm Mon 25 Jun 07

what would you do if u was in that situation of a load of boys ready to fight u .... would you not fight back... thats what i thought.............

....................

............

JM, Beckenham says...
2:43pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Don't doubt that I have sympathy for the lad who was killed, his friends and family. But if you choose this life these are the consequences. It is the misplaced need for 'respect' amongst their peers that leads to all this needless violence and another young life wasted. Real respect has nothing to do with this. My family brought me up to respect others, work hard and love your family and friends - this is what is missing. I don't want to demonise kids who live these lives, and to be honest they are a product of our times, but what's in store for them and everyone else who has to live with the consequences.

unknown, beckenham says...
2:44pm Mon 25 Jun 07

everybody shud just leave the boy alone cuz although he might not be a saint he does not deserve all this people cumin on the site and chating s**t so just leave him and may his soul rest in peace bless

Charlie-x, beckenham/penge says...
2:45pm Mon 25 Jun 07

ARGH!
what is yOur prOblem serOusly. yOu didnt knOe him and its OviOus. if sOmeOne cOmes up tO yOu abOut tO start a fight. yOur OviOusly gOin tO fight back. yOu wOuldnt just stand there. he was fighting yeh. but it happens. yOu cant say yOu have never seen a fight befOre cOz they happen all the time. yes i knOw gang wars and that is bad, but its happened fOr years and is OviOusly still happening.
R.I.P Ben <3 xx

Lisa, Beckenham says...
2:45pm Mon 25 Jun 07

It's a good job us 'grown ups' are expressing an opinion, if it were left to you kids, where do you think we'd all be?

shannen...x, forest hill says...
2:47pm Mon 25 Jun 07

al, leave charlie alone yeah i bin chatin to her nd yeh she is upset who wouldnt be buh it takes two people to have an argument
let me define gang: a gang is a group of friends that hang around together ok..... a culture is ur background ur environment fool go look it up..............

CONCERNED TEEN, blue bitz says...
2:47pm Mon 25 Jun 07

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

nt, says...
2:48pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Mick wrote:
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.
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.

Lily, bromley says...
2:50pm Mon 25 Jun 07

I'm Not being funny but i'm a 15 year old girl and would be absolutely devastated if one of my brothers or someone close to me died the way Ben did .. at the end of the day .. all say whatever you want about him and how he went looking for it .. lets not beat around the bush .. people out there loved him .. and still do love him ..so why dont you all just think for a second about peoples feelings this is hurting when there reading through these so instead of voicing your opinions on here where people are paying respect and helping with information .. discuss it with people who actually feel the same wasy as you and somewhere were an arguement isn't gonna brew .. so before you click post comment think about how many other people your actually affecting by writing what you're writing
RIP BEN

shannen...x, forest hill says...
2:51pm Mon 25 Jun 07

i really dont think adults understand what its like for us yeh u say that u have bin there and u have done that buh on a real every childhood is different people need to respect that ben aint gonna finish his childhood.....

sue, london says...
2:51pm Mon 25 Jun 07

didnt no this boy but what sad story its getting worst too many kids r getting killed sorry to this boy family r.i.p

Charlie-x, beckenham/penge says...
2:52pm Mon 25 Jun 07

loOk. all kids make mistakes
yes they had wepOns
yes they wer nOt meant tO be dOing it. but it happens. all the time. and nOt just with kids sO dOnt blame us all the time. loOk. im 14 yeh. im at schOol just like he was. i cOuld easily get intO a fight and die tOmOrOw and im HOPINg if that did happen then peOple wOnt be **** lyk they dO On the website. and were nOt pathetic. its just things that happen. RIP Ben xx

Wallet, Bromley says...
2:52pm Mon 25 Jun 07

unknown - Beckenham. Ben may or may not deserve some of the comments posted on here today, I didn't know him so couldn't say one way or another, but now is exactly the time for us adults to try and hit home the message that what a lot of kids are up to today is wrong. It's anti social at the very least, murder at the most. Now feelings are running high hopefully some youngsters may just read and take note.

unknown, beckenham says...
2:52pm Mon 25 Jun 07

who ever u r mick u need to jus pis of cuz ur not makin it any better 4 those who r grievien

nikki, peckham says...
2:53pm Mon 25 Jun 07

R.I.P my heart goes to his family. these kids need to relize there jus babies...

Wallet, Bromley says...
2:53pm Mon 25 Jun 07

unknown - Beckenham. Ben may or may not deserve some of the comments posted on here today, I didn't know him so couldn't say one way or another, but now is exactly the time for us adults to try and hit home the message that what a lot of kids are up to today is wrong. It's anti social at the very least, murder at the most. Now feelings are running high hopefully some youngsters may just read and take note.

Drew, Penge says...
2:53pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Al wrote:
Z, his parents couldn\'t have cared less where he was, just so long as he wasn\'t disturbing them.
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!

shannen...x, forest hill says...
2:55pm Mon 25 Jun 07

whoooooooooooooo bang bang kele......... u speak da twho ever u r mick u need to jus pis of cuz ur not makin it any better 4 those who r grievienruth

gee, beckenham says...
2:56pm Mon 25 Jun 07

With all these comments can somebody tell me where it once stated that it was this young boy that had a weapon!! It does not once say that so please stop insinuating these allegations. As for these people that are out there and digging at children have any of you lived on an estate or seen the lives of these kids? No i bet not because you have a cushy life where mummy or daddy paid for everything. I have come from a poor background but never chose to get invoved in these type of gangs. But have friends that chose that life. Its the way the world goes. So stop making horrible and spiteful remarks about a boy that has just died and let his friends remember him for who he was a "joker". They are grieving and are obviously in a lot of pain. RIP Ben i didnt no you and condolonces to his family

Drew, Penge says...
2:58pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Thank you gee, one of the first adults i have seen on this website with some sense! RIP BEN! <3

Concerned, Bromley says...
2:58pm Mon 25 Jun 07

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.

Drew, Penge says...
2:59pm Mon 25 Jun 07

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 !

The Don, UK says...
3:01pm Mon 25 Jun 07

I mean what's all this stupid language all about? Speak properly for goodness sake.
One thing that comforts me is that in this day and age only the strongest survive and if you decide to get involved with these losers then youre asking for trouble. They will never get a proper job and always get the easy way out of doing nothing. Time they showed themselves to be real people and do something right with their lives - u only get one chance.
may this bor RIP



--------------------

-
R.ii.P BEN . WEE NEVARHH EXACTLiiE NEW YOOH BUH FROM WHATT WEE HERDD YOOH WASS A BAREE NiiCE PERSONN.

YOOR GONE BUHH NEVARHH FORGOTTENN

R.ii.P
JORGiiAHH AND LACiiAA
2K7

JM, Beckenham says...
3:03pm Mon 25 Jun 07

As lots of people said, any child dying is a tragedy. I wasn't there and didn't see what happened, so am not going to comment on that. People are using this as an example of the way they see society going and the problems that we all face. I didn't grow up in a great area, but my parents worked hard to provide a better life for their family, and i know plenty of people who have done well from poor backgrounds, and all these people had the ambition to make the best of their lives. Being poor or coming from a so called rough area isn't an excuse.

ang, london says...
3:05pm Mon 25 Jun 07

first of all i would like to offer my deepest sympathy to Ben`s family. As a parent you do not expect to give birth only to have to bury your same child in your lifetime.
there seems to be a lot of speculation as to what actually happened on this fateful night ,but one true fact is a young boy is dead lying on a cold morgue slab with no family or gang members there with him now and i know that not one of those gang members would like to swap places with him or his family.I did not know the boy so it would be wrong to assume he was not innocent but if he was a gang member what exactly did you expect to happen if you go out to have a fight.To most of the kids on here you all have memories of your friend but there is not anything anyone can do or say to heal the pain this boy`s family must be going through.Now is the time to assess your own lives and choose which path you are willing to take as you could be the next victim and your mates will be leaving tributes to you like that is all your life was worth until the next person is killed then all the hype will be about them.
Kids think about your actions as there at least two things we can not run from one is karma and the other is judgement day

gee, beckenham says...
3:08pm Mon 25 Jun 07

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

A Real Soldier, Kent says...
3:12pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Sorry but in my book being a member of a gang shows a dintinct weakness in character.


National Service for the lot of them will show them what it means to be a soldier and fight for this great nation we live in.

JM, Beckenham says...
3:14pm Mon 25 Jun 07

gee wrote:
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 - 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

gee, beckenham says...
3:16pm Mon 25 Jun 07

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

nt, says...
3:16pm Mon 25 Jun 07

in the 60's we had mods vs rockers. 70's punks vs teddy boys 80's new romantics...dont think they used to fight ?, now we just have gangs of kids fighting....i hope the next generation support peace as opposed to violence...be such a nicer place the world..wouldnt it? or is that too boring for you ?

A2K, Elmers End says...
3:17pm Mon 25 Jun 07

To all those who knew Ben on this site and saying he was a lovely guy and a joker - what was he doing out at 11.30pm on the way to a huge gang fight? He must have known the odds were he'd get hurt at least, if not worse. Why look for trouble? Not just Ben, all of you in gangs. Why do you fight each other? You're all young kids, probably bored. Why not go to each other's homes and play PS3, or play football down the local rec? Why is fighting so much more appealing?

JohnK, London says...
3:20pm Mon 25 Jun 07

gee wrote:
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
Well these kids obv have a desire to harm others and think they are soldiers......
why not send them into national service and let them get on with it ??
they get paid and might get an education also....
certainly is more productive lifestyle than that of a street hoodlum

dave, beckenham says...
3:22pm Mon 25 Jun 07

A sad loss of life. Thoughts with Bens family and friends. Lets hope those involved can move forward from this and change their lives for the better.

Concerned, Bromley says...
3:25pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Drew wrote:
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 !
What should one do about the problem then, hmm? Maybe invite everyone round for tea and biscuits and polite conversation?

Gavin, Croydon says...
3:32pm Mon 25 Jun 07

You all need to respect each other, no gang is more important than your true friends.

You have to look out for one another, don't risk the lives of your friends, just for the respect of your gang.

Shocked and Digusted, Penge says...
3:36pm Mon 25 Jun 07

I shudder to think what kind of mindless monsters the future offsping of these teenagers will be like, if they even get to live that long !! What kind of role models will they be when their own parents, who clearly do not care what their children are up to , letting them roam round the streets late at night and not bothering to know what kind of thuggish characters they're hanging round with. Parents have a duty and responsiblity to take a certain control of their children.If they don't they shouldn't have them in the first place !!!!!

ang, says...
3:36pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Why are certain adults on here arguing with kids .I am not saying that you are not entitled to your own views ,but come on being sarcastic and winding them them up is not going to make the situation any better

?, London says...
3:37pm Mon 25 Jun 07

What is all this blue borough and green borough ?

What activities does this gang do to entertain themselves apart from Massive street brawls ?

ex, ex local says...
3:45pm Mon 25 Jun 07

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.

Hugo, Bexley says...
3:48pm Mon 25 Jun 07

I still cannot understand how everyone blames everyone else, but first of all I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to Ben`s family. I believe society as a whole is out of control. Bromley has become a meeting place for rejects and outcasts and not a pleasant place to shop. It seems to me no-one has any respect for anything or anyone, more and more we hear of stabbings and murders locally which now seems the norm. We should not have to put up with this aggresive nature, why can't the Police do something, because again the kids of today, know the law better than they do, and their hands are tied.

Fergus, Beckenham says...
3:50pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Could I ask these gangs to carry out their dirty work in areas other than Beckenham. It will have a shocking affect on the perception of the area, and certainly won't help house prices.

Wallet, Bromley says...
3:52pm Mon 25 Jun 07

? 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.

Hugo, Bexley says...
3:55pm Mon 25 Jun 07

? 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?

Alan, Beckenham says...
3:56pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Deepest condolences to the Hitchcock family. What happened was absolutely terrible and I cannot even begin to imagine what you are going through right now.

We bought their old house off of them early last year and we've been doorstepped by reporters all today and yesterday looking for an exclusive. Let them grieve in peace.

Wallet, Bromley says...
3:56pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Wallet wrote:
? 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.
Sorry, Blue borough of Lewisham -v- Green Borough of Bromley! Apologies.

?, London says...
3:58pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Hugo wrote:
? 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?
I dont remember calling anyone thick ?

I just wanted to know what was the purpose of being in a street gang other than fighting with opposing gangs ?

Do they do good deeds in the local community ? Help old ladies cross the street ?
Sell drugs on street corners?
Vandalise phone boxes and cars.........

Please clarify ?

Gavin, Croydon says...
3:58pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Wallet wrote:
? 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.
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? :)

ang, says...
4:00pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Fergus , you better get used to it Newsflash !! gangs are not only just boys ,girls black ,white and if they not already here they are coming to a town near you .So if you are worried about your house i suggest you sell up and leave the countryas Beckenham really is not upper class anymore

Gavin, Croydon says...
4:01pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Or maybe both boroughs could adopt the same colour scheme, that way there would be nothing to fight about.

Sarah K, London says...
4:01pm Mon 25 Jun 07

This is a very sad story, but neither the place or time to start arguing over the state of the country.

I think someone should set up a memorial site on www.gonetoosoon.co.u
k for friends to pay their respects and readers should think about others feelings, everyone makes mistakes.

Bloods, says...
4:03pm Mon 25 Jun 07

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.

Parker, Orpington says...
4:04pm Mon 25 Jun 07

CONCERNED TEEN wrote:
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
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

parker, orpington says...
4:09pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Bloods wrote:
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.
I understand your comments, but please can you at least check your spelling?

CHRIS, says...
4:16pm Mon 25 Jun 07

ben ur missed by many all the memories of u its unberlivable u never would of fort it would happen to u r.i.p ben gone but never forgotten
quote
quote

Gavin, Croydon says...
4:19pm Mon 25 Jun 07

parker wrote:
Bloods wrote:
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.
I understand your comments, but please can you at least check your spelling?
What's wrong with the spelling?

'go play some sport' are you serious?

AMBAR LEACHH, BECKENHAMM says...
4:21pm Mon 25 Jun 07

i couldnt belive it wen i herd da newz bwt im.. he wz an old primary skl frend ov mine n i no his bruvvaz jake n loui..

R.I.P SWIPE GONE BUH NEVA FORGOTTEN I LOVE YOOH XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

.., Penge says...
4:23pm Mon 25 Jun 07

http://ripben.goneto
osoon.co.uk

liam, yorkshire says...
4:29pm Mon 25 Jun 07

At the end of the day, why should everyone feel sad for this kid. He was only part of a gang to make himself feel big and smart. Everyone knows that mixing in gangs aint a good thing. Theres a old saying...
"you live by the sword.....you die by the sword"...
simple as that

gee, beckenham says...
4:31pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Liam mate have ypou ne feelings? If you do then keep comments like tat to yourself as tehy are not needed on here. RIP Ben.

Chris, Beckenham says...
4:31pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Fergus - I couldn't agree more. These scrounging, dole monkeys, with nothing better to do, should think about the affect of their actions on others. They may only aspire to owning a new sovereign ring or having a baby so that they can get "their own" flat, but some of us have our own properties to worry about the value of, as well as paying the taxes that pay for "their" accomodation...

Hopefully, if they keep up at this rate, there won't be many left.

gee, beckenham says...
4:33pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Chris if that is all you care about ypou cannot be human. If you value your property over human life you may as well be dead. take your dispicable comments else where

., says...
4:37pm Mon 25 Jun 07

gee: where was the value for human life when these 2 gangs started fighting on saturday? if there was any, he would not have died surely??!!

gee, beckenham says...
4:40pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Well nothing can change that he is dead its happened so let people grieve and you dont need comments like this. Also if it was somebody in your family how would you feel reading these comments?

SHARKY, beckenham says...
4:43pm Mon 25 Jun 07

"They need to be taught violence is not the answer."

There is no excuse for this course of action, these teenagers do it because they want to!!!

How many of you, who were there are actually involved are now reflecting on their actions, I doubt many - how can you even go outside and carry on with your life, when you have taken another life, look around you, your parents, family. Just grow up and make something of your life, as this will always follow you for the rest of your life - WELL DONE!!!! You must be so proud!!!

DISGRACEFUL



Sinead, Shortlands says...
4:44pm Mon 25 Jun 07

I Didnt Kno Ben Hitchcock
But Am Still Very Sad And Disheartened About What Has Happened. He Was In A Gang And That May Not Of Been The Best Thing But, Now Hes Dead.
It Doesnt Matter What Time He Was Out Till Or What Weapons He Was Holding
He Is Gone Now.
They Were All As Bad As Eachother Because They All Brought Weapons And Intented To Fight But, Hes Gone Now And Im Paying My Respects.
He Was A Brave Person For Going To Fight Them Anyway And No Matter What Anybody Does Or Says Will Change Anything Or Bring Him Back.
Id Like To Say God Bless To Him And His Family And He Will Never Be Forgotten.
He Is In Everybody's Thoughts.
Life Is Too Precious.
x

Nicole, Beckenham says...
4:44pm Mon 25 Jun 07

No one deserves to die like that. Yes he got in to a fight but didnt we all have a scrap when we were younger? Its just tragic that things have evolved so much that people have to use weapons nowadays.
I hope the teenagers who did this to the poor lad rot in hell & never know another day of happiness. The awful thing is they are probably 'proud' of what they have done are hailed heros in their gang. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

., says...
4:45pm Mon 25 Jun 07

it is actually my family that i'm now worried about - its safe to assume that Ben's 'gang' will respond to his death with more mindless violence...and another family will be grieving their child - the whole thing is pointless and innocent people will get caught up in it. What a waste of a young boy's life. What have the other gang really achieved, and what will Ben's 'gang' now do....will it not be exactly what they're rivals did on saturday? And what will that gain?

Penge Mother, Penge says...
4:45pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Frist: My deepest sympthy goes out to Bens family..xx Green Brough/Blue Brough YOU All Need to FIX-UP as you would put it.. Its Time To make your Peace with each other.. OR you will see more of your frends go the same way.. "SO PLEASE PLEASE" STOP..! FIGHTING EACH OTHER.. I understand there nothing to do out there at weekend & after school.. So all come together an set up a campain in Bens Memory about how Sad & Borning the Street are for you all.. Get your names on it & take it to.. 10 Downing Street.. You Youths need to speak out.. Green Brough/Blue Brough.. STOP..!THINK..!AND.. FIX-UP..!!!

claire, bromley says...
4:46pm Mon 25 Jun 07

ex wrote:
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.
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.
The response to the emails obviously from his "gang" members say how great he was etc etc and dont get me wrong the kid didn't deserve to die but it does make me angry knowing that a/ there are gangs in the first place. b/ these kids were walking around with weapons and c/ This is only going to increase crime as im sure there will be a backlash and innocent people suffer. The quotes from passers by say their cars were hit and these kids were in the road etc. they are not only a danger to themselves but they are putting innocent members of the public at risk.

It's a joke!

n, swanley says...
5:01pm Mon 25 Jun 07

my deepest symphathy to all of bens family and friends
to drew i totally agree with you with regards to us adults and gov should do something to help you kids, but you cant keep blaming everything and anything on everybody else but yourselves you can pick and choose what you decide to do with your life just like you can either sit indoors an watch a dvd or pay a games console or spend time with your family or you can pick up a weapon and go looking for trouble (im not saying ben had a weapon because i was not there) back in the 50/60 and 70s kids had bold nothing but they didnt go killing each other. pensioners who faught adolf hitler are to scared to walk their streets which they faught so bloody hard for.because our kids walk around with weapons in large groups.
i hope and pray that all you kids out there put a stop to this think about the real heros of this country and if they are your role model then go and fight for your country and not which estate that you live on
sadly in this day and age if you walk out the door with a weapon you have to be prepared to have it used on you.
god bless you ben sleep tight
such a waste of life lets hope all your friends take up a new hobby so you havent died in vain
r.i.p
bold bold bold

Tasha, Kent says...
5:02pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Z wrote:
Al wrote: Z, his parents couldn\\\\\\\'t have cared less where he was, just so long as he wasn\\\\\\\'t disturbing them.
exactly
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!!!!!

MH Beckenham, Beckenham says...
5:02pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Yet another one of OUR children has died in a meaningless fight, when are WE parents going to realise that WE have to take responsibility for OUR childrens actions, where is YOUR son going tonight and who with, when was the last time you looked in their rooms or you talked to them ? the knives and guns are hidden in YOUR houses and WE are all doing nothing about it, forget Blair WE the parents of all the children need to take control and responsibility for them. Remember they are not just gangs of thugs they are all of societys children. What can be done ? every time a youth under 18 is arrested his parents should be fined and the money donated to a childrens charity.

Megannn&amp;Rachell, se12 says...
5:08pm Mon 25 Jun 07

We dintt no himm, but seriouslyy all thiss is patheticc. people need to stopp killing each other over dumbb shitt!! restt in peicee ... x

Penge Mum, says...
5:18pm Mon 25 Jun 07

All parents..All Broughs.. We all need to get together, get out there after school/weekends & mix with the children & police.. instead of putting your negitive comments on this page of condolence.. Get out there and help them understand.. Life is to Short as it is.. One day these gangs will enter into the working world & have to work together.. So start now.. All this Madness thats taking young lifes needs to be addressed.. NOW! NOT TOMORROW! Deepest Sympathy Bens Parents Brothers & Friends xXx RIP: YOUNG BEN xXx

Paulo, Bromley but not for much longer! says...
5:19pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Sympathy goes out to the family. This once proud country has turned into a complete joke and has totally gone down the toilet. I'm getting out!

x, Bromley says...
5:23pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Firstly my deepest sympthy goes out to the family and friends of Ben. RIP x

However it is sad to read another child dying because of a street fight, everyone has a choice as to what they do with their life unfortunately Ben choose to be part of the gang fight that ended his life. It is true there is nothing for the kids to do however it doesn't excuss the fact that a group of teenages carrying weapons went looking for trouble.

I just hope that if any of his friends leaving messages on here understand what can happen as it would be tragic to loose another youngster this way.

Do something with your life boys and girls before it is to late..

Kate, Beckenham says...
5:23pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Out of interest do you teenagers have a curfew? I have read in the paper that one was 13. I was never allowed out till 11.30 at 13. Im curious to know what the norm is nowadays?

Drew, Penge says...
5:27pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Can i point out one major point every1 seems to have mis-understood. The boys from penge went to a party on copers cope road where they must have bumped into the "blue borough" boys and things must have escalated from there, im pretty sure they was not out for trouble! So please stop brandishing them "thugs" and "people who went out looking for trouble" because thats not the case! now please stop arguing, just leave your condolences and get on with your life.

Russiia, beckenham says...
5:27pm Mon 25 Jun 07

R.I.P Swiipeee
Never 4goten ...*

postive, Orpington says...
5:33pm Mon 25 Jun 07

I like the idea of something good coming out of this appalling crime. Someone suggested the two gangs getting together to work for something positive could it happen?


Jo, Beckenham says...
5:33pm Mon 25 Jun 07

I see his parents knew him well - he was the "most loving boy that ever walked this earth".

If a kid walking the street with weapons getting involved in a fight just because another group of kids are from a different borough then I would hate to see how he would have turned out if he wasn't so loving.

his parents must be devastated for sure, but I bet they were happy to have him out of their hair on Saturday night.

I'm not saying be with them 24 hours a day, but 11.30pm is too late for him to be out on his own.

Still - prisons are over crowded, so at least we need one less cell now!

anon, orpington says...
5:41pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Isn't it about time legal curfews were introduced? Kids of this age shouldn't be out this late at night should they? Maybe with curfews and armed police patrolling the streets this might help cut some of these crimes committed by these youngsters who should be at home with their parents

Drew, Penge says...
5:43pm Mon 25 Jun 07

u idiotic, narrow minded tossers! Get off your **** high horse becuase it obvious you havnt got the slightest **** clue what goes on! You shouldnt even be commenting on such things, did your mother ever teach you, if you having nothing nice to say, dont say anything at all! The boy is **** dead, yet you all sit here and judge like you knew him, his family and what happens out there! sort it out for **** sake!

TF Beck, Beckenham says...
5:44pm Mon 25 Jun 07

I remember when I was 9 we had a gang fight with Churchills school over beckenham rec one of my friends was knocked out with an iron bar and another cut with a stanley knife I am now 40,so I guess this is not new, these boys think they are hard and what they are doing is somthing the invented, what they need is more love and attention from their parents, more discipline at home and at school and things in their life to give them some self respect, vocational schooling, national service for example.

Wallet, Bromley says...
5:51pm Mon 25 Jun 07

The more I hear the worse it sounds for the kid. The radio are reporting that he was part of a group of people that tried to gate crash a party and were turned away. It was then that the fight took place. Also, there's a tribute to him on YouTube that quite frankly does him no favours at all.

On one hand we have all his mates and a number of youngsters trying to say that he was a loving caring joker (in appalling English) and on the other, a set of worried adults, mostly parents I would guess, giving an opinion of a toe rag tearaway with no respect for law, order, property or others! I suspect the truth may be somewhere in the middle.

There are however three facts about this that we do know. 1. school children were out walking the streets after 11pm. 2. A big fight took place that involved weapons. 3. Ben lost his life. Was it worth it? No, not at all unless something positive comes from it. But, sadly, I very much doubt anything will.

Lisa, Beckenham says...
5:57pm Mon 25 Jun 07

I hope that Bens family never have to read some of the comments posted on this webiste. I think we all have to take responsibility and stop blaming everyone and everything else. The fact still remains that this baby is no more. Let's see if conscience still exists and that those involved take the wrap for what they've done. It's a harsh lesson kids have to learn these days, I hope that this will put life in perspective for them.

Bazza, Downham says...
6:08pm Mon 25 Jun 07

I'm a parent and I tell you, if my son had been killed in a streetfight, when he next came in I'd give his hide a tanning.

I'm not havin' my son been killed in Beckenham late at night. So help me, I'd beat 'im to within an inch of 'is life when 'e came in. Right proper too. And I'd give the missus what for as well.

It neva happened when the dear Ol Queen Mum was araaand. Gawd bless 'er.

Gordon, Petts Wood says...
6:15pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Some of the Comments on this page are becoming really hateful. Lets step back from the brink of insanity here people and remember that a 16-year-old has lost his life. Spouting pseudo-nazi claptrap is deeply disrespectful. No matter what you think of him and hi contemparies surely you can't seriously suggest that he deserved to die?

leanne, says...
6:21pm Mon 25 Jun 07

R.i.P Ben...
Condolences to the friends and familys!! It is unfair to blame the parents, my parents let me out at half 11 and im 16, i feel it is about trust!! No one that was at this gang fight was innocent, this wasnt an innocent life lost, he participated in this fight by being there, if he used a weapon or not!! Some youngsters do not choose this way of life they just see no other way. What we need is strong role models to help and assist us with things to do, that are not expensive. Ok there are youth groups but they are not to every ones liking so what else is there?? And the lingo is hurting any body so leave us to speak like this, ok it may portray us as being thik but then again no one these days give teenagers a chance, thats where everything is going wrong!! This teenagers need to grieve for their friend, and it is wrong of people to not allow this or to question how people can call him lovely, its easy for you to slate other peoples kids but if it were your own out there i very much doubt you would say a bad thing about your child. there is good in everyone...as well as bad !!

R.H,, Sadly I live in Beckenham says...
6:47pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Totally amazing comments from the police officer investigating this tragic crime, 40 black youths attack 5 white youths and it's not racial, if it was the other way round there would be every police officer in London patrolling Beckenham!. . . .a mad mad world we live in.

shane, bromley says...
6:48pm Mon 25 Jun 07

why dont every1 who's not leaving condolences just stop writin all your crap your writin and leave condolences. didnt no the boy but R.I.P ben

r.i.p ben, says...
6:50pm Mon 25 Jun 07

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!!!

dnt worri, says...
6:52pm Mon 25 Jun 07

there was not 40 ppl becoz ben was with 3 of his bredrins and about 5-10 of the blu borough manz

MATT, BROCKLEY says...
6:59pm Mon 25 Jun 07

THE SAD THING IS ITS MAINLY ADULTS ON HERE **** AT KIDS ABOUT WHAt they have been doing.GET OFF YOUR ARSE AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT INSTEAD OF SITTING THERE AND LEAVING YOUR BAD COMMENTS.

MATT, BROCKLY says...
7:03pm Mon 25 Jun 07

THIS SITE IS FOR PEOPLE TO LEAVE COMFORTING MESSAGES FOR BEN AND HIS FAMILY. PUT YOURSELF IN HIS PARENTS POSITION YOU WOULDNT WANT TO READ THIS CRAP JUST AFTER YOUR SON HAS BEEN KILLED.STOP BEING HEARTLESS AND THINK BEFOR YOU TYPE!!
RIP BEN

pat, orpington says...
7:34pm Mon 25 Jun 07

I AM SO SAD THAT ANOTHER YOUNG BOY HAS DIED AS A RESULT OF THE CURRENT GANG CULTURE GOING ON IN THIS COUNTRY.
AS SOMEBODY COMMENTED IT WAS LIKE A SCENE FROM THE BRONX, BUT OUR YOUNGSTERS WOULDNT LAST FIVE MINUTES THERE AND ALL THE TIME THEY ARE GLORYFYING THIS VIOLENCE THINGS WILL GET WORSE AND WE WILL SOON BE HAVING DRIVE BY SHOOTINGS.
WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY? WHAT FUTURE WILL OUR YOUNGSTERS HAVE?I DONT KNOW THE ANSWER BUT I KNOW SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE WITH THE LAW AND A GOOD SHARP SHOCK IS WHAT A LOT OF THESE WANNABEE GANGSTERS NEED FOR THEYRE OWN GOOD.ANY SUGGESTIONS?

Anon, SE London says...
7:40pm Mon 25 Jun 07

RIP Ben. Another life lost. Sorry to your parents, family and friends. I am a young person myself (22), and I can't understand a word some of these kids are saying. It's not proper English! Text speak should be banned on this site, it's so annoying! RIP Ben although I didn't know you and your poor family.

D, Bromley says...
7:42pm Mon 25 Jun 07

HOW SAD THAT ONCE AGAIN THIS HAS HAPPENED, I SOMETIMES CAN,T BELIEVE THAT I AM READING ABOUT ALL THIS HORROR HAPPENING ON OUR DOORSTEPS.I also have a son who thank god is no longer a teenager, but i know if anything happened to him it would break my heart. You cannot always blame the parents of these kids because as pointed out by a couple of people, you cannot be with them all the time. I do agree that at the age of 13-16 they should not be out so late, but come on there is the odd exception. The sad thing about the events of saturday night is that somebody obviously left his home that evening with a knife/weapon, and probably always carrys a weapon when going out. WHY WOULD YOU HAVE THIS ON YOUR PERSON IF YOU ARE OUT FOR AN EVENING TO ENJOY YOUSELF ...well no more to be said really.
Just to say to the family of Ben that many people will be thinking of you and your loss, and lets hope than any of Bens mates that maybe carry weapons when going out stop and think....

R.H., Beckenham says...
7:45pm Mon 25 Jun 07

in reply to dnt worri I was just repeating what the investigating officer said on the BBC news, my point is, that if it was reported that 40 white youths attacked 5 black youths it would be considered a racial attack straightaway. I can only take my information from the news, unless you know what really happened.

leah, lewisham says...
7:46pm Mon 25 Jun 07

R.ii.P BEN . WEE NEVARHH EXACTLiiE NEW YOOH BUH FROM WHATT WEE HERDD YOOH WASS A BAREE NiiCE PERSONN.

YOOR GONE BUHH NEVARHH FORGOTTENN

R.ii.P
JORGiiAHH AND LACiiAA
2K7


WAT A PATHETIC MESSAGE..KMT

lEE, bromely says...
7:53pm Mon 25 Jun 07

i agree wid leah, stupid dumb girls " wee nevarhh exactlie new yooh" pathetic and embarassing. u didnt know him. shut up den

anoy, se london says...
8:00pm Mon 25 Jun 07

if you kids had read peoples comments then you would have seen a condolences page that the newshopper has for people to pay there respects.
'newsshopper.co.uk/
news/condolence'
Everyone has a right to have there say.
You kids think you all know better than your elders.We have lived longer than you and if you take note of things written you may live to the end of the year. Fighting isnt the answer for anything.Carry on and the next time it could be you.You dont ususally go to a party armed ready for a fight.
If you all think you are tough then why not put it to use and join the TA or put yourselfs up for the army where you have to fight your best mate whether you like it or not.
The only decent people( if we can really call anyone in a gang decent) are the ones who stayed with Ben in his last moments.If the rest of you in his gang were his true friends then you didnt show it on the night.I am just so glad there was only one death, it could have been a lot worse.
THink of your parents.You are al sad about the loss of your mate but think if it was your parents recieving the news, it would be 10 times as bad as they have known you all you life.

chaz, seLondon says...
8:03pm Mon 25 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!!!
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

anonomous, kent says...
8:17pm Mon 25 Jun 07

im so sorry to hear the news, i am now saying how brave this boy was to stop the fight...he even tried to get up and walk when he was stabbed..RIP Ben

Just Mehh, Penge says...
8:29pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Rah well das jus anova fallen solja das gone i kno at least 10 people dat have died dis year wifin monfs or less of eachova i krnt even discribe how upset and angry it makes me feel... the bois hu pik up these weapons arnt exactly big or brave anywun kan pik up a weapon and take a lyf... but taken sum1s lyf is just 2 tha extream if ur fytin ur endz :| rah words karnt even express how me and everywun on blox feels i mean low loosin soo many yung people i mean wht is the point really and truly wht are u guna get owt of takin sum1s lyf "oh yeh i kiled sum1" people are jus guna fink ur a dik ed hu shood grow up and learn dat lyf is more dan shanks and weapons... i lost my boi ova suicide but dat is compleatly difrent he chose 2 take his own lyf away... but getin killed is jus rah i dnt even kno sik i supose... how kud u do it 2 a yung gun aswel i mean 16 **** on he hadnt even finished skl yet hadnt even experienced lyf 2 the full e styl had his lyf infront of him he styl had falin inlove wif a galfrend he styl had kids 2 **** he styl had work 2 luk 4ward 2!! he styl had family 2 care 4... dont u fink ow much ov his family will b greavin now... likkle brufas how the **** are they guna feel.. oh yeh ma brufa jus gt killed wen e wos 16 rah sounds great... its the same how i feel bwt rasist crime wht is the fukin point whyt on whyt crime and blak on blak crime is madness... we are al the same... everybody is the fukin same no matter wht stories u have bin told were all the fukin same... u chiks and mans on road dat take peoples lyf diserv 2 b locked up 4eva and get treated lyk fukin ****... bun ur stupid wasted hype and grow up its not funi ur not big and ur not hard... anyway rip 2 all the falen soljaz u wil definatly b mist
see yhoo all soon an sleep tyt love u all__Xx

LACiiAA &amp;&amp;* JORGiiAHH, BEKENHAMM says...
8:33pm Mon 25 Jun 07

OMG YEHH HOWW iiSH iiT A STIPiiD COMMENT .. WERE SAYiin WE NEVAH NEW HiiM BUH WERE STiiLL PAYiiNG OUR RESPECTS YEH YUU ALL NEED TWOO PHUCK OFF .. NO MATTAAH WHAT HE DiiD HE LOST HiiS LiiFE iiN A WAY HE DiiDNT DESERVE AND LEE ? DiiD YOOH PHUCKiiN NO HiiM YOOH FUKiiN iiDiiOT .. WEE DiiD NO HiIM BUH JUSH NOT ASWELL AS SOME OTHERS ON HERE JUST **** OFF AND FiiND SOMETHiiNG BETTER TWO DO THAN GET RUDE ON A DEAD BOYS TRiiBUTE PAYGE

RiiP BEN </3

A Mother, london says...
8:40pm Mon 25 Jun 07

First i would like to say im sorry for the lost of this boy, thoughts to his mother & family and true friends. Secondly who ever was there on the night come forward and help the police, and thirdly there are so many comments on here wanting to pay their resepts, their is now made a page which newshopper has done and only 6people have signed it, if u are ture friends of ben sign that one and leave these people to make there comments.
may this boy be at peace

Mel, Beckenham says...
8:47pm Mon 25 Jun 07

I feel so sorry for those who have lost Ben, but however, where were their parents?!?!
Why are these little hooligans being allowed to run around with axes, knives, and bricks?
Welcome to the 20th century, ladies and gentlemen.

c, Bromley says...
8:54pm Mon 25 Jun 07

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.

El, Beckenham says...
8:59pm Mon 25 Jun 07

I am 16 and live in the area. and can i just say.. all these adults have no idea how much of a big deal this all is.. you just think its stupid kids gettin in fights.. WELL MAYBE NOW YOU WILL REALISE HWO SERIOUS THINGS GET!!! and in reply to some people writing that it was good he died.. WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TO SAY THAT!! IMAGINE IF IT WAS SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU!! and to the person sayin 'anywhere except beckenham please' NO MATTER WHERE YOUR FROM.. TROUBLE HAPPENS!! dont be so stuck up and inconsiderate!! I didnt personaly know ben but i saw him around penge and places.. and i would just liek to say, he was always smiling, laughing and with friends. He did not diserve to die, no matter what some of you idiots think!! Teenagers dont need to be slated, you adults or elders whatever you wanna call yourselves just need to realise these gangs arent messing. R.I.P Ben, youl be missed. Penge wont be the same without you walking them streets. ='(

Marie, kent says...
9:02pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Hi ben, rest in peace lil one X i never knew u. nor know of u. but i heard about u on the news.
I know the angels are taking care of u.
sweet dreams xxxMariexxx

Anon, Lewisham says...
9:20pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Loook yehh i aint usually one to comment on these pages but you adult's or "elders" as your calling yourself .. your saying how you;ve lived longer reh reh reh but at the end of the day you may have lived longer but at the end of the day nowadays if some boy's didnt carry around guns and knifes then there probably would be more death's because if other people know that the other's are armed then they will just walk away.
The Pengee Block Vs. Blu Boro Has been going on for far too long now mann .. me and my girls were at a bus stop in catford once when bare penge ones pulled up in a car and were chatting **** to us. at the end of the day - this violence will never end. that is just the way things are nowaday's you may say stuff about how wrong it is etc but trust me that aint gonna change nothing.
R.I.P Ben, just another one killed in this foolishness

Taxpayer, London says...
10:15pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Can all those using "gangsta lingo" please type in English and use your spellcheckers?

Dutch, Kent says...
10:16pm Mon 25 Jun 07

I lived in Beckenham for 25 years. It shocked and saddened me that there are gangs - What the hell's wrong with these people - get a life, start living, you're always using platitudes like 'RESPECT (or RESPEC!!) well, RESPECT your fellow human beings' right to life, in fact RESPECT life - You only get one life and , tragically for Ben, his is life is over and the morons who are 'gang members' can't see this, in fact most of them can't even spell or speak. I agree with Rusco and 9.

a mum, kent says...
10:30pm Mon 25 Jun 07

nt wrote:
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.
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!!!!

Anonne, Beckenham says...
10:31pm Mon 25 Jun 07

A dreadful loss - he had his whole life lying before him.

The only surprise to me is that it doesn't happen a lot more often. Young kids out at nearly midnight, misunderstanding the meaning of 'respect' and thinking it means injuring someone for some implied slur or rumour.

I don't think any of this will stop until there are curfews and parents who take more responsibility.

It's not just 'the way things are' it's a choice of how you live your life. Nobody forces you to be in a gang.

And please please stop talking about him as a "fallen solja". Our soldiers have pride in themselves and serve our country. Ben did not die in service to anyone.

A total waste of a life. If his death means that his gang decide not to arm themselves and behave like they appear to, then it will not have been in vain. Sadly, I imagine that there will be a lot of repercussions of this and that there are a lot of kids way out their depth in shìt at the moment.

look after yourselves.

mjdj, se london says...
10:41pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Its about time some people learnt the english language properly. Thats half the problem, youths of today are lazy, unimaginative and rude

Harbourmaster, The Streets says...
11:18pm Mon 25 Jun 07

I is not from the green crew. Or the blue crew. I is from the big red H crew. Word. Big up the respec for the maijor playa.

Dat said, dis sort of ting might affect local house prices, and we no need dat. Keep dis fing on da blue side.

Word. Long live red H.

me, says...
11:34pm Mon 25 Jun 07

they only use knives because they cant afford guns fallen Soldier, what talk is that some kinda empty heady kids running around like taking gangsters. whats wrong with these people Don’t they want a life nice car house loving family relationships careers stability. Can’t they stop to think that one day they will be adults who have nothing to show for their lives just memories of their dead, lost in battle!!

Hanson, Bromley says...
11:49pm Mon 25 Jun 07

Posted by:

Harbourmaster, The Streets on 11:18pm today

I is not from the green crew. Or the blue crew. I is from the big red H crew. Word. Big up the respec for the maijor playa. Dat said, dis sort of ting might affect local house prices, and we no need dat. Keep dis fing on da blue side. Word. Long live red H.


So, who are the Big Red H Crew?

Are they the gang who are fighting to protect property prices in the area?


Maureen, South London says...
11:59pm Mon 25 Jun 07

And yes I am a young teenager and I have the common sense to not go out and fight others. What is the point when there is so much more to life??
Why do you teens think that 'jamming' on the street is a necessity to life? Why dont you lot go to school and get a proper education and make something of yourselves. It is so sad that the younger generations are observing us and they are going to follow in our footsteps, isnt it time that we focus on the better things in life? How much times does a kid have to die for you all to see that violence is not the answer? So what if he came from a different area, why does it matter? Im so fed up of hearing that another teen or kid has died because you stupid ignorant idiots wont stop with the violence. Society can blame the parents, but its the children they are corrupt and this wont stop until everyone of you is dead and only then will you realise that life is more valuable. Im ashamed to even think that London has resulted in this, why do we think that we are in America? What is wrong with some of you, open your **** eyes and smell the fresh air if someone looks at you bad then ignore them, if someone calls you a name ignore them it is hard to do but your lives are worth so much more. Please can you guys stop this? You all can be such amazing young people, many of you are so clever and talented but you want to throw your lives away for a fight, if someone wants to fight you walk away, you may think your going to look stupid but you walk away with your life. Dont let this happen to you, everyone take a look at what is around you, your life, family, friends, etc if you was gone tomorrow because of this kind of nonsense beaviour how would your loved ones feel? Distraught of course dont let yourself become just another statistic and another kid thats died. I ask again for us to please stop this, its not right. Blacks and white should be able to love together peacefully, we shouldnt have black on white crime it does exist but it shouldnt. I just pray for this boys soul that he shall rest in peace. I dont know what he was doing out at this time, did his parents not care?? I dont know them so I am not going to judge because only God can judge us, his looking down on the world and he is crying because we are letting him down, you may not be religious but if you get a chance read revelations the last book in the bible, everything that you see now is pre-told in the bible, if God is not real then howcome he knew what would be happening today?? Im nto asking any of you to believe in him but like I said have a read of the last book of the bible and you will see that it is the truth. Take care and may god bless and protect all of your souls. x

whats happenin?, says...
12:02am Tue 26 Jun 07

bold do u no wat annoys me the most the fact that the news has made him look like an angel, if h was an angel he would never had been there fighting, he would never had got off of the bus to start any trouble. ppl need to open their eyes to the real story, let me no why they got off the bus with weapons just to start a fight, someone was bound to get hurt and look all because their bins are a different colour!

my sympathy goes to the family, but not to him, yes his life was taken to soon, but so has those that are innocent and are being accused of murdering the boy, even though they were trying to avoid getting involved. all these 14 ppl how many of them would have really stabbed one boy? it is ridiculous and pathetic, i mean sixteen and carrying weapons such as bottles, poles, battons and knives is that the way its meant to be. as far as i am concerned everyone that was there fighting is to blame for the murder including him, if he was not apart of a gang, if he neverr got off the bus he would still be alive so hu is really to blame? the ones that are being held, even though they were trying to get away from being caught in the fight or him himself for being involved?

annie, london says...
12:14am Tue 26 Jun 07

Forrr Yoooh Informationn Kelly 4rm London
It Wuznt Blackz On Whitez
Dereee R White Boiz In Both Gangs Involved In Dee Violence Dat Took Placee so Get ur facts strateee
rippp swipez xxx

Steve Johnson, Bexley says...
12:14am Tue 26 Jun 07

EP wrote:
The english here is atrocious, all thanks to mr Blair aka Bliar .
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.

..., my place says...
12:23am Tue 26 Jun 07

bold i dont know why everyone is complaining about this because its not going to make a difference whats done is done he knew what he was doing and i bet he would have been just asbold fast to try do the same thing if he had got the chance it just happen to be his time nothing else can be done about it

C.L.L, Beckenham says...
1:10am Tue 26 Jun 07

I am very shocked at how judgemental some of the comments posted here are.A young boy has died and another family left in tatters.We will never know what really happened that night or what sort of homelife Ben had. Please stop judging him and remember that he is the victim.I live 5 mins from where he died and feel so worried for my sons. As a parent, I do my best to make sure that they are safe but still try to let them have some freedom too. Ben's Mum
may have thought that he was safe and not out and about so spare her a bit of sympathy before judging her so quickly and so harshly.

Katie, SOUTH says...
1:14am Tue 26 Jun 07

I am a black girl and just because Ben was white it does not mean that I am going to have bad things to say about him. As far as Im concerned I never knew him at all, if given the opportunity I wish I could of maybe spoke to him and got to know him because he was loved by so many people. Apart from that this country is stupid because well Mr Blair is first he invites immigrants over here so that they can live off what most of us and our parents earn(TAXES), then he encourages suicide bombers to try to blow us all up by allowing them in the country, then we have our younger siblings growing up to believe that violence is the way, how stupid is that man??? Im only 16 and I can see whats going on around me, why cant some of the rest of us? Put down the weapons, what happened to talking and sticks and stones wont hurt my bones.
R.I.P Ben

OTHERS WHO ARE STILL ALIVE LEARN FROM THIS PLEASE....

Dani, Woolwich says...
4:22am Tue 26 Jun 07

c wrote:
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.
I completely agree.
Can you imagine if Ben's mum is reading this?
A comments section on a Young Boy's tragic murder being hijacked by Black/White Slavery rants.

Whatever happened/whatever their colour skin/in a gang/not in a gang...a family must be in the most tremendous pain right now.

There but for the grace of god....as the saying goes.

My sympathy goes to Ben's family and friends.

Blame and judgement is so easy when it is someone else's family but the reality is a 16y/o kid died and that breaks my heart.
R.I.P. Ben.

tina, lewisham says...
7:43am Tue 26 Jun 07

first of all my thoughts go out to bens family,sorry for your loss,
everyone else you dont have to be in a gang to get hurt, i have 4 children 3 teenagers who have never been in trouble but my 2 daughters was on the bus when the penge lot got off the bus one of them having been at her friends 16th birthday party, thanks to certain youths her party was ruined and her 16th will be remembered for bens death.
the borough wars has been happening for years i grew up on these streets and the borough thing has always been there but my children dont care about that.. the kids need something to do the goverment have taken all the resources away from the kids and let them loose on the street maybe its about time as parents of local kids that we get together and tackle the problem its not just here its everywhere and its not a black and white thing not round here
so stop hating and take action and have some bloody respect people are grieving .
think about this next time it could be you

The Don, UK says...
8:53am Tue 26 Jun 07

For Christ's sake cant you speak properly ? Stop typing this sh1t and try to spell correctly. You look complete idiots.




i couldnt belive it wen i herd da newz bwt im.. he wz an old primary skl frend ov mine n i no his bruvvaz jake n loui..

R.I.P SWIPE GONE BUH NEVA FORGOTTEN I LOVE YOOH XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Lord St John, The country says...
8:55am Tue 26 Jun 07

here here old chap. About time the youth of today learned The Queens English.


Alii, Staines says...
9:18am Tue 26 Jun 07

Ay Boyakasha..

Big upz rispectz to the fallenz BredRinz ee wur a gOOd boiiz and no muuyAn nUu harmz juzt defen3in da hood

ainT nowz wrunGz therz
All yuuZz ol; pEEpz neexdcz to zorts it out
yah hearz me

Truszt..Rezpectz
Alii

Lynne, Bromley says...
9:26am Tue 26 Jun 07

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

Mr Felch, Bromley says...
9:47am Tue 26 Jun 07

Lynne - good post.

Trouble is, the adults who are "responsible" for these kids won't be reading message boards. They probably couldn't care less - until their little angel ends up in a box.

What kind of parent lets a 13-16 year old kid go hanging around at midnight? You see even younger kids dossing around in packs too - and it's not just a London problem.

I can't see any solution to this actually happening. I can look after my kids - but there's nothing I can do about other peoples'.

Stacey, Orpington says...
9:48am Tue 26 Jun 07

i couldnt belive it wen i herd da newz bwt im.. he wz an old primary skl frend ov mine n i no his bruvvaz

Man it is taking me forever, or should dat be '4eva' to read all this nonsense. I do wonder about the intelligence levels of the 'wannabe gansta' speech on here. Does it not take twice as long to write as its hurting my head to read.
Such a sad loss of young life. No one deserves to die in that way. The poor lad was only 16 - he'd barely even lived yet. My thoughts are with his family.

Naz, Compton says...
9:49am Tue 26 Jun 07

Jya spill some hOOchz for ma d3dz homi3sz

2pac,biggzie and Ben...gon3 but neva 4gOtt3nz

PlasticGangstaz, Compton,SouthCentral LA says...
9:51am Tue 26 Jun 07

Jya spill some hOOchz for ma d3dz homi3sz

2pac,biggzie and Ben...gon3 but neva 4gOtt3nz

Member of the public, Dartford says...
10:33am Tue 26 Jun 07

These kiddies think they are living in an American ghetto..Gangs!! what a joke.Watching too much TV more like!!Move them to America then!!. Get a life...do something constructive and join a stamp collecting club or read a book(presuming they can all read!) If you go out carrying a weapon on the public street what do you expect!!.... you must be intent on carrying out serious injury or murder on another human and you must expect it to happen to yourself!! It makes me wonder why parents bother having children if the cannot bring them up properly!?

J, bromley says...
10:41am Tue 26 Jun 07

Boys & Girls next time you get dispersed by the Police you'll know the reasons why. Quite simply get off the streets and go and do something worthwhile.

Sensible, Not Lewisham ! says...
10:42am Tue 26 Jun 07

Did I really just read '2pac,biggzie and Ben...' above from the tupperware gangsta in Compton!?!

What a c0ck. Live by the sword you die by the sword you brainless morons.

Lord St John, The country says...
10:44am Tue 26 Jun 07

In my day we were made to work 13 hour days for a farthing a week. We respected the elder generation and got off our backsides and got a job.
What they need these days is a good old fashioned bunch of fives.

Anon, Kent says...
10:45am Tue 26 Jun 07

Member of the Public,

you must understand that the status earned in committing violent crime far far outweights the loss of life or possible prison time

Its cool to be in a gang.

ASBO's are like corporals stripes in the Army of the Underclasses

Chris, Beckenham says...
11:10am Tue 26 Jun 07

R.I.P BEN

From All In Beckenham

x

vex, penge says...
11:25am Tue 26 Jun 07

Lisselu wrote:
Oh and by the way, your mate is not \\\'safe\\\', he\\\'s DEAD. How does that make you feel?
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

Lee, Bromley says...
11:26am Tue 26 Jun 07

The mindless moronic actions of these murdering hooligans is epitomised in the total destruction of the english language used to post at least 50% of the 'tributes' on this page.
Can somebody please explain to me how the writer of the following drivel ever expects to get employment? Of course maybe he(she) doesn't and merely intends to live on benefits.

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..


Is it any wonder that I spend as much of my time in Miami, USA as possible now prior to emigrating? OK they have their problems but not the all out moron-wars that we're experiencing in the UK.
Yes I'm sorry a kid (because that's all he was) got murdered but as someone else rightly observed "He who lives by the sword dies by the sword" and it surely isn't getting any better in the UK nowadays.

vex, penge says...
11:32am Tue 26 Jun 07

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

John, says...
11:36am Tue 26 Jun 07

English youth see the gangsta rap lifestyle as a bit of a lark. In contrast, white working class Americans view it, based on the abundant evidence provided by American blacks, as a one-way ticket to prison and the grave.

http://www.vdare.com
/Sailer/050410_ruin.
htm

?, ? says...
11:37am Tue 26 Jun 07

To all the adults, stop wasting your time on these kids and let them all kill themselves off then we wont have to worry about them anymore.

Rich, says...
11:48am Tue 26 Jun 07

It is a great, great shame that this has happend but why is everyone calling him a soldier? I kind of understand why but can someone please let me know. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Thoughts go to his family x

saycha and jess, penge says...
11:51am Tue 26 Jun 07

to ben we just wanna say were gonna really miss you and were thinking of ur mum and little brothers
nuff luv alwayz
xxxxxxxxxxxxx

joe, penge says...
12:04pm Tue 26 Jun 07

You sad silly little children, you think your bad **** LA gangsters, wake up and smell the roses your miss guided and if you carry on you will end up as loosers, you cant spell or talk properly who is going to give you a job ? you live in the suburbs of London grow up none of you would last 5 mins in LA with the Mexicans they would laugh at you muppets, how many more boys have to die whilst you play silly games pretending to be gangsters. Get a life !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JM, Beckenham says...
12:05pm Tue 26 Jun 07

vex wrote:
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
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....

Paula, LONDON says...
12:13pm Tue 26 Jun 07

Lynne wrote:
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
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.
I dont go out hanging around on the streest like my mum did not raise me properly, I am an 18 year old girl and I have the common sense to realise that when I am bored I dont go out at 11o'clock at night looking for trouble in gangs. Whoever is big enough to cause trouble is big enough to cope with the results and heres the resukts. Carry in you bunch of morons as soon as all of you are dead and buried the worl shall be a much better place. You guys are worst then the suicide bombers, look at yourselves, you think your all big because your in a gang but when your by yourself your only a small child. Grow the **** up and find something constructive to do. parents stop allowing your children to go out after a certain time, its some parents that have bad parenting skills which causes situations like this. How can you let your child be on the streets at these times? Kids damage property, vehicles, do graffitti and everything because they are savages and they are immature. When they are older if most of them survive they will hopefully look at what they were like but, its too late to do anything. Lets just say that this generation of kids are vipers and most of them are going to end up in Bens situation because to most of you its cool. You make me sick this is not America, this is ENGLAND.

joe, London says...
12:30pm Tue 26 Jun 07

Did you know that you are 90% more likely to be shot or stabbed if you are carrying a weapon.

Sakrid green borough, bromley says...
12:30pm Tue 26 Jun 07

R.I.P SWIPE OLD TYT GREEN BOROUGH ALL DAY EVERY DAY.

Lynne, Bromley says...
12:53pm Tue 26 Jun 07

To Paula,Let me clarify one thing to you. I am in no way sticking up for, or condoning these gangs. I also never used the word BORED in my post. Boredom is no excuse for any sort of anti social behaviour. I'm also very well aware of MSN.
My point was that the gangs ARE there, I said MOST not all, kids joined gangs. It's a sad fact of life.
I'm glad for you that you can do better. Most of these kids could too, if they wanted to. But they don't.
These kids belong to somebody.They blame adults for their behaviour.
While your on your computer,go over o Youtube, have a look at the big tough penge boys. Its really a discusting sight. Schoolkids, in uniform, good advert for the school.
So where are the adults and their ideas on how to stop this gang problem getting out of control.

The Don, UK says...
12:57pm Tue 26 Jun 07

here here paula - summed it up well.
just listen to all those losers out there - there is an overriding message in all this - MAKE SOMETHING OF YOUR LIVES .... GET A JOB AND GET SOME SELF RESPECT.

Tiggy, says...
1:10pm Tue 26 Jun 07

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!!

Beckenham Bill, Beckenham says...
1:15pm Tue 26 Jun 07

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.

kt, says...
1:19pm Tue 26 Jun 07

Tiggy wrote:
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!!
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

., says...
1:22pm Tue 26 Jun 07

KT - totally agree - give it til the end of next weekend before one of Ben's 'gang' has retaliated on the others, making them all as bad as each other!!

LL, Kent says...
1:26pm Tue 26 Jun 07

Tiggy, your post is alarming. Firstly do you think that the violence of these youths can be condoned by people 'winding them up'? And you think these animals deserve our respect?

Where I come from you show some bloody restraint when you hear something you don't like, not lash out and chance killing someone. You also have to EARN respect. It's not a god given right!

becks, Beckenham says...
1:32pm Tue 26 Jun 07

Beckenham Bill wrote:
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.
Absolutely agree with you Bill.

And just for the record to those who keep saying it's nothing to do with us - yes it is because it is OUR streets you sociopaths are making into no go areas for nice normal people.

And why are you all whining about it. Everyone there wanted violence and you got violence. Surely you should be thrilled at the outcome?

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.


If your 13 year old kid is not at home at 11pm, and not at a friends house (here's an idea - speak to the friend's parents), then where the hell are they? If you don't know this, then you are not doing your job as a parent.

Simple. End of. Why do some people not take *any* responsibility for their impact on society any more?

Yes, my kids have lied to me in the past. They've probably got away with it a few times too. But they're not out EVERY NIGHT! A lot of these kids are.

Ross Kemp, Beckenham says...
1:52pm Tue 26 Jun 07

It’s utterly pathetic! A bunch of poorly parented children pretending they live in Compton or LA. Fighting/ killing over the colour of ones dustbin/ street sign. I hope you children read these posts whilst sucking your sherbet dip daps, and eating your nice n spicy nik naks, and start to realise that what us adults are says is 100% right.

Join the local boxing, football or rugby club, where you will be meeting people from all different back grounds. Who knows you may learn something about how others live and get out of you unreal “no understands us” lives.

n, swanley says...
1:58pm Tue 26 Jun 07

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


Vix, Orpington says...
2:13pm Tue 26 Jun 07

All of the people that are saying about how Ben went out with weapons looking for a fight etc etc.. what about those that killed him.. are you trying to say that they didnt have weapons? that they weren't looking for a fight??
Yeah, there's no excuse.. a life that didn't need to be taken was taken, but at the end of the day.. its not just down to ben and his mates to have been 'looking for the fight' i think people forget that.. ben didnt put that knife in himself!
R.I.P Ben
my thoughts go out to his family
xxx

amazed!!, Bromley says...
2:27pm Tue 26 Jun 07

Firstly, I would like to express my bold sincerebold condolences to the Hitchcock family and I would also like to apologise for the lack of thought in 95% of these posts on behalf of the ignorant.
My son goes to the same school that this once 'happy' child went to and informed me of ALL background behind this to clue me up slightly in order for me to understand. Blue and Green wars?!?!?!?! - it doesn't make sense to us bold adultsbold as we are grown and have better things to do with our lifes and we have bills, homes and family to look after. Children, I repeat bold childrenbold argue over the smallest things, better trainers,coolest moblie, better looking, better area etc. Have you not noticed these are all material things???
This was bold NOTbold black on white or vice versa. It was an incident which all 40/50 or how many youths knew what they were doing, it was calculated, they went with weapons with the intention to harm another being and as a result there was a death, a death caused over NOTHING!!!!
11.36pm hmmmmm!!! there are a majority of 16year olds out at this time, but 13 year olds???. Parenting skills do play a big part in these kind of issues, my son would never dream of being involved in such groups neither would he be associated with such dealings, however peer pressure and the battle to be the next Mafia is out there, the story isn't being read that education is the key and without that there is no ££££ or $$$.
I asked a 13 year old child about this situation and they told me 'It's silly and I dont get involved'. I asked a 15 year old and they told me 'You have to protect each other, ya get me'. Both are from different backgrounds and you can see which one out of the two is raised the stricter way with morals inside the home.

Would have, could have, should have. Its too late for that now and if these children dont learn then oh well that is the end of our society - it's happening everywhere all over the world. The smaller mind person would say this is now turning into war, revenge etc, get them who got our friend. the smarter person would say we need to learn and that could have been me, or my brother etc.
There are no rewards in violence of this nature, save it for something else and concentrate in becoming the best person you can and not another statistic or stereo type figure.
Culture yourselves and your friends, the adults on here could also learn a thing or two.
ALl of you on this thread/forum is guilty of a crime right now and that is arrogance against each other.
May peace and guidance be with the parents and family of Ben and I hope they can find the strength to continue.

God Bless you all

anon, nearby says...
2:28pm Tue 26 Jun 07

vix
i think you are missing the point we are not talking about an innocent young man who just got of a bus to go home we talking about a boy who got of a bus with weapon to harm and use
if it had not of been him it would of been anyone of that gang
he did not deserve to die but if you walk around armed then you take the consequencies
they were all out some will go to prison (which we will pay for us hard working taxpayers) and one lost his life hard price to pay for getting some street cred

Vix, Orpington says...
2:43pm Tue 26 Jun 07

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.

Me, Kent says...
2:57pm Tue 26 Jun 07

Vix, maybe people are just fed up with reading about needless murder and violence on our streets on an alarmingly frequent basis. Tiptoeing around the issue won't solve the problem.

kt, says...
2:57pm Tue 26 Jun 07

Vix wrote:
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.
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)

Sally, Beckenham says...
3:03pm Tue 26 Jun 07

Vix, this young man was a thug, pure and simple. Go on Youtube and search for Penge Block. You will be able to see this kid smoking a huge joint and rapping about murder, violence and robbery. I can't help being harsh. It could have been someone innocent that died in amongst this gang of ignorant animals. Luckily for the rest of us the thugs killed on of their own. Incidentally, someone said that people should stop being so harsh as this site is for condolences. I hate to point out the obvious but this is a comment site attached to a newspaper. People are perefectly entitled to say what they wish.

parker, orpington says...
3:46pm Tue 26 Jun 07

WHY DON'T WE ALL JUST TRY AND HAVE SOME RESPECT FOR THE FAMILY- I HOPE THEY DO READ THIS SITE-

HE WAS ONLY A YOUNG BOY AT THE END OF THE DAY!!!!

a father, says...
3:57pm Tue 26 Jun 07

Lets all try stop the bickle and beef....the biggest crime in life is to out live your child so my warmest symphony goes out to the family....but let us recognise there were many children severly injured and inches away from death...so as parents lets try take control of our own children so we dont hav to share that pain ...save a child rite now...Peace!

Why?, London says...
4:03pm Tue 26 Jun 07

Why are half the kids on here acting like East Coast/West Coast US gangsters. You're children from suburbs acting the big I am !! The more I hear about this the less I care which is an awful thing to say. If you go around with all this 'crib' sh!t then what did you expect would happen one day? Silly children trying to play big men.

anon, nearby says...
4:04pm Tue 26 Jun 07

THERE IS A CONDOLENCE PAGE ON HERE TO PAY RESPECT AND ALSO ON GONE TOO SOON THIS AS RIGHTFULLY SAID BY SALLY THIS IS A COMMENT PAGE

Tris the toff, london village says...
4:10pm Tue 26 Jun 07

This is disgusting- I have had little toe-rags around my neighbourhood giving me grief, that is mainly due to my uncanny resemblance to Tim Henman mind you.

RIP.

Z, London says...
4:15pm Tue 26 Jun 07

I thought this was a henious crime when I found out on Sunday amd he has been in my thoughts since. Now ive just watched his youtube vid & ive changed my tune completely. Judging by the pictures a 'sweet innocent' boy he aint.

s, beckenham says...
4:21pm Tue 26 Jun 07

First of all condolences to the family...
I used to be part of a gang some years back and yes there was fights but never weapons..if someone had a knife you didnt get close to him or her..
structure of youth nowadays is as follows:
influenced by mind drumming tv ..ie..big brother..
gangster hip -hop..more bling to zing and all that...
too many allowances on waht youths can get away with...
school teachers cannot shout at a pupil now!!
parents can get charges against them for smacking their own child.!!
I grew up with 4 channels , curfew on tv channels and no internet..and came out unscathed...also whats with the ENGLISH people...ive heard and seen people from furtherst Europe speak and write better english...

unforutnaltely crime is on the up with youth gang culture but hate to say it ..it will not disappear in this generation...too much has gone on ..too many advances and influences and we still need to adjust from what is wrong and what is right.

Tiggy, says...
4:28pm Tue 26 Jun 07

n wrote:
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
I do have kids! Whats your point??

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!!!
? ? ?
can some of you please write in english, and maybe go to school

angie, says...
5:02pm Tue 26 Jun 07

I live in Sydenham,I have children, I go to work pay my own mortgage and taxes and yes i am black

Paul, Penge says...
5:03pm Tue 26 Jun 07

Aware, can you give us the link to the Met Police you are quoting from please? I was under the impression that the Met stopped their racial breakdown of crimes about 20 years ago. I would particularly like to see the figures for street robbery in London.

AWARE, beckenham says...
5:04pm Tue 26 Jun 07

Thank you

The racist comments made by Tiggy and Derek have been removed, pity about the persons behind the text.

Tiggy, says...
5:06pm Tue 26 Jun 07

As usual u lot have to hide behind someone cos truth hurts.

AWARE, beckenham says...
5:08pm Tue 26 Jun 07

Paul
There are 43 forces in England and wales and the information gets fed through a system that I work with. There shoudl be public info for you to view on the met website, if not if you provide contcat details I can send you figures however you may be able to obtain these from the home office in queensland gate.

angie, says...
5:10pm Tue 26 Jun 07

I was born in this country ,and my family have enough money to get on a plane anytime we feel like travelling so sorry we do not need to travel on banana boats . I probably pay more taxes than you fool by the way is tiggy your real name,your talk is big but it means nothing to me as i know your views have no face

carol, london says...
5:14pm Tue 26 Jun 07

Tiggy lives on a council estate claims housing benefit and income support, has no life or soul let alone heart and blames others for making a better life for themselves when she had the opportunity to do so also.

Paul, Penge says...
5:18pm Tue 26 Jun 07

Aware, you told someone else on here to open their eyes and look on the Met website for the frankly unbelievable figures you gave. This system you claim to work with doesn't really exist does it? I am guessing you are a sad fantasist otherwise you might know the following :- the Home Office was never at "Queensland Gate," it was at Queens Gate until it moved to Horseferry Road about 3 years ago. I state again that the police in this country do break their crime figures down on a racial basis. Prove me wrong.

Aware, beckenham says...
5:28pm Tue 26 Jun 07

Paul
I work for the home office and I deal with all crime data, I will not let my location be known on this page and yes the system does exist and the office is based in croydon, the department is called DCG. NOW YOU DO YOUR RESEARCH.
Queens Annea Gate - sorry!! also the office is actually in Martian St.
43 forces for engalnd and wales we dont deal with scotland only for drug related offences. Met is 01 which coveres every station in london but not British transport police but they all have different figures.
Paul you dont know anything you are dumb I cannot explain it to you, please call the home office for further info.

mrsr, kent says...
5:33pm Tue 26 Jun 07

whatever everyone thinks this lad's family & friends have lost someone they loved

adam, says...
5:47pm Tue 26 Jun 07

its quite heated..agreed..ever
yone has different opinions and views and are entitled to it..unfortunately the way society has changed in technology, mainstream tv and lot more leniancy and not enough support youths think they are invicible , plus they are bored, and with young guys testorone levels and having something to prove this can be a lethal combination.
Calling whatever you like racial, gang, pc it is the way the world is..and going back to 's' comment.,there is TOO much to take in..and we have to learn but it will take time...sad as it is for the family.

n, swanley says...
5:58pm Tue 26 Jun 07

tiggy
my point is
1, do you think your kids are safe when they go out and respect adults
2 how on earth can you say that these kids need respect are you having a laugh or what you want us taxpaying hard working respectable people to respect kids who terorise, and intimidate and kill each other to respect them.
they are spolit and have no respect for no one or nothing
what they all need is some good hard punishment

Jo, St Mary Cray says...
6:07pm Tue 26 Jun 07

Why doesn't everyone get off their high horse and leave off, this page is to leave comments and pay respect for the young lad who lost his life, if you want to have heated arguments then go somewhere else and do it, my deepest sympathy to all the family.

resident, In the town that used to be so quiet and pretty says...
6:25pm Tue 26 Jun 07

Firstly, this is not America, this is England.
All you kids in gangs think it's cool to act like you do. You're all big stuff yeah? You all need respect. NO, I don't think so. You don't even begin to know the meaning of the word respect. Respect for other people and their propery, respect for life and most of all, respect for yourselves. You can't even spell the bloody word, RESPECT.
Half of you are illiterate. And all of you are stupid.
You're all mouth and big boys, but at the end of the day, when you've got a knife sticking out of you, you all bleat and cry the same. You all need to get a basic education, which is free in this country. Children in other countries would give their right arms for free education, because they've got ambition and want to make something of themselves. Carry on, kill each other, but don't call yourselves soldiers, cause soldiers, you ain't.
Just misguided kids with no future. You can't even talk and spell properly. Life is what you make it. You choose your own path, going down!!
Bunch of losers. Go stuff up your own areas and stay out of Beckenham, cause we don't want the likes of you here.