MEMBERS of the IVS gang - which murdered teenager Faridon Alizada belonged to - have spoken to News Shopper.

The teenager, who was also known as Fighterrr, was stabbed to death in Erith on January 5 - just four days after his 18th birthday.

Since his killing hundreds of comments have been posted on News Shopper's website condemning his gang lifestyle and branding the IVS gang as thugs.

Full name the Invincibles, IVS claims to have more than 100 members in the Bexley and north Kent area.

Members of the gang contacted News Shopper wanting to defend their friend - who they had known for three years - and to tell their own story.

Reporter Jon Cheetham met them and heard how they are in jobs and college, and trying to make something of their lives.

And they told him Mr Alizada had a bright future too, studying carpentry at Shooters Hill College.

Below is a copy of the conversation. The gang members wanted only to be called by their nicknames.

News Shopper: Was Fighterrr dealing drugs?

Brutal, aged 18: Fighterrr wasn't a drug dealer. He had so much love. People killed him thinking he had drugs.

Levelz, 18: He was visiting friends. He goes there to chill with his friends. But the flat was a crack den - the whole estate is.

News Shopper: Who was Fighterrr with when he died - where they members of IVS?

Vesk, 17: They were friends of his. They weren't in IVS but one of them is associated with IVS.

News Shopper: You have asked to be called only by your nicknames. Why do you use these names? Are they gang names?

Vesk: They are just names that stick with you. Other people started calling you it. They are not necessarily gang names. It depends on what your definition of a gang is.

Levelz: The definition of our group is a family.

News Shopper: But there is a negative side to this - like the violence. Do you get involved in fights?

Brutal: We only do things we have to do. If we are getting attacked we are going to back our friends.

Skamz, 21: We don't start things for no reason.

News Shopper: What about Fighterrr - his names suggests he liked to fight?

Brutal: He came through a lot.

They all agree.

Vesk: He was very proud and would fight for what he believed in.

Levelz: It's not meant literally.

News Shopper: What do you mean when you say he came through a lot?

Brutal: Fighterrr didn't get involved with things that had nothing to do with him. But in the area that we come from - Dartford, Welling and Sidcup - some people are racist.

Skamz: We are a multicultural group and that is the problem because we have people who are black and Asian.

Brutal: Other gangs team up on us because we have other colours. Some gangs like RA are racist. And they don't care they are racist.

News Shopper: What does the name RA stand for?

Brutal: Racial Attackers.

Skamz: If you are black and live in that area you can't turn around and say something because they will attack you.

Brutal: There are a lot more white people in our area. Why are we going to bully elderly people and little kids?

Vesk: We are in the wrong by fighting back but we are not going to run away.

News Shopper: Do you carry knives?

Vesk: People make assumptions about us saying we are fighters and walk around the streets with knives. None of us carry weapons or knives.

Brutal: We are not even a gang that is out for fighting. Every gang gets it when people start talking about how many people you have. As soon as you get a name for yourselves people want to get you. Adults don't understand that. They think you just want to fight and want to be hard but we don't boast about the things we do.

News Shopper: How many people are in IVS?

Vesk: It is in treble figures.

Snipzy, 18: We started as a small group but because people are suffering they come and join our group.

News Shopper: How did you become involved in IVS?

Vesk: It all started two years ago when I was young and wanted a name for myself and started a gang and then I changed as I grew older and realised life isn't about the streets and fighting. We have girlfriends and are learning to drive and move on with life.

Levelz: Most of us have jobs or go to college. We are all trying to get on. But maybe you want to go out somewhere but you can't go there because people hate you. If you go somewhere like Bexleyheath it is going to kick off. We just want to chill.

News Shopper: Do all the members of IVS feel the same way?

Skamz: I can't say every single member of IVS is like us because we have other members who want to prove something and they give us the bad image.

Brutal: There are some members who will possibly fight for no reason.

Skamz: We are the older line so we move how we move - the youngsters don't understand.

Brutal: They are out to be like us.

News Shopper: What will IVS do now that one of its members has been killed?

Skamz: If something happens - like this - we are hurt.

Vesk: I am a Muslim and I believe that Allah decides so if I get stabbed it is my time to go. I shed tears for Fighterrr - but I will not feel the pressure for him.

Brutal: Everyone here has shed tears for Fighterrr.

Levelz: I have cried for days.

  • Respect to Fighterrr: Watch gang members' tribute on video - click here