A BEREAVED father is backing an MP’s call for the Government to crackdown on gang videos posted online.

Lewisham East MP Heidi Alexander contacted Policing Minister Nick Herbert over the issue after a constituent alerted her to a YouTube video filmed in Catford near the town hall.

In the footage, which has had nearly 17,000 viewings online, the youths, some wearing scarves to mask their faces, rap about their violent lifestyle and brandish a knife.

The members, named as the Shankers and Gunners and part of the notorious Deptford and New Cross-based Shower Gang, issue a challenge to the rival Black Mafia gang, bragging about being on their turf.

One member, who calls himself Major, makes sickening boasts about carrying a knife, a gun and stabbing people in the face. News Shopper: Gang members have made sick boasts on the web

The video is just one of a whole host on the site featuring gang members, including many from across Greenwich and Lewisham, talking about their violent exploits and challenging one another while being filmed in their rivals’ territories.

Ms Alexander said: “This appalling video not only shows young men flouting the law, but also flouting civilised norms of behaviour.

“My constituents, like other people all over the country, deserve to be able to feel safe in their town centre.

“The fact that this sort of footage can be found so easily online can’t be right and action has to be taken”. News Shopper: LEWISHAM & GREENWICH: Calls for action over violent YouTube gang boasts

In January 19-year-old Deptford student Johnson Ndjoli, who had no links to gangs, died following months in a coma after being run over, stabbed and shot by Shower members.

Johnson’s father Antoine Ndjoli, 49, who now runs a charitable foundation in his son’s name, said: “It’s surprising that people can laugh about these things so openly.

“We should be doing our level best to educate our children, otherwise they are a soft target for people like this.

“We all need to stand up against it.”

He added: "My son was innocent - he was a child who was committed to his studies. In his spare time he used to go and play football.

"These gangs do nothing. Most of them don't even go to school - they hang around smoking and listening to music. Then they are surprised when there's a bad outcome.

"Meanwhile we're suffering. It just brings more pain."

Are you, or do you know, a member of the Shower Gang? Call News Shopper on 01689 885 703.

Gangs on the net

In February, 18-year-old Shower Gang member Rosca Onya, of Pendragon Road, Grove Park, who had made boasts on YouTube about shooting rivals, was locked up after he was found with a loaded gun.

In June, News Shopper reported how eight teenage members of Lewisham’s Black Mafia were found guilty of slashing a man’s neck. After the incident they made a video bragging about the attack and put it on YouTube.

Two brothers locked up for the murder of Deptford 16-year-old Shakilus Townsend were captured on an internet video along with other members of the Shine My Nine gang rapping about carrying an Uzi, attacking people with bottles and hitting women.

Gangs from across the area have uploaded videos, including Charlton’s Cherry Boys, Thamesmead’s T Block, New Cross’s Ghetto Boys, and the Woolwich Boys.