Teenagers hit by gunfire in Brixton riot

JASON BENNETTO

Crime Correspondent

Two teenagers suffered shotgun wounds during the Brixton riots on Wednesday night and there were at least four other incidents involving firearms, it emerged yesterday.

The police are concerned about the use of guns during the incident, which appears to have been far greater than originally thought. Sir Paul Condon, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, said that officers involved in the riots had feared they were targets for gunmen.

While a heavy police presence in south London helped maintain order for a second day, detectives continued their investigations into what sparked the looting and street fighting. However, lawyers suggested that any attempts to charge Rudy Narayan - who called police "killers" shortly before the violence erupted - with incitement to riot was likely to fail. Sir Paul condemned "inflammatory" speeches made outside Brixton police station which he described as "unforgivable".

The Metropolitan Police are also attempting to get television footage taken of the disturbances to help them identify rioters. The BBC last night refused to hand over any film and the police are expected to seek a court order to force the corporation to supply it.

Meanwhile, a boy and a girl, both aged 16, were believed to have been caught in the crossfire on Brixton Hill. They were treated in hospital for shotgun pellet wounds and were later discharged.

A 55-year-old man remained in a serious but stable condition after suffering a punctured lung, a fractured skull and stab wounds. He was attacked as he attempted to move his car. Scotland Yard said officers heard three shots fired at about 10.35pm near the Ritzy cinema. Shots were also thought to have been fired at the George Canning pub. Twenty-two people arrested were given police bail.

The police are gathering information about speeches made outside Brixton police station by demonstrators protesting at the death in custody of a black man earlier this month. Mr Narayan, a seasoned campaigner, is at the centre of the inquiry, after describing police as killers and adding: "they will not understand what they have done until one of them has been killed".

A conviction for incitement to riot carries a maximum life sentence. However, it is difficult to prove because the prosecution has to show a person intended people to riot or that they were so reckless that people were likely to run amok.

An unrepentant Mr Narayan yesterday dismissed suggestions that he may be charged. He said: "I have been covering riots and criminal law for 25 years - this is just a smokescreen by the police to direct attention away from their true crimes of riot and murder."