A SOMALIAN resident has pleaded with a notorious gang to stop giving his community a bad name.

People have been left afraid to "walk down the street at night", because the notorious Woolwich Manz gang "intimidate" them and hang around on street corners.

Now Fitz Hersi is urging the gang, which is made up of young Somalians, to "respect the order of law" of the country they now live in.

The Woolwich Manz made the headlines recently when they were linked to the murder of Bradford PC Sharon Beshinevsky.

Mr Hersi, 37, says the gang consists of about 20 members of the Somali community.

He claims they hang around in Angelsea Road, Woolwich, and on other nearby street corners and intimidate residents.

The father-of-five also fears his fellow countrymen are responsible for a spate of thefts and assaults in the area.

He said: "I'm Somalian and proud of it but these people give our community a bad name.

"We have come here to live our lives but this means we have got to respect the order of law in this country."

Mr Hersi says other Somalian residents share his view but are too scared to speak out.

He also claims he has lodged a number of complaints with police about the gang and feels they could do more.

Mr Hersi added: "We're always asking the police to take action but they don't do anything.

"People are scared to walk down the street at night. I'm concerned for people's safety and it gives the area a bad image."

Police say anyone with information on the gang or crime in the area should call the town centre safer neighbourhood team on 07951 347084.