The recent spate of shootings in south London has a lot of people worried. JEREMY GRIMALDI talks to a former gang member about causes and cures.

WITH gangs and guns in south London hitting the headlines, it seems everyone is having a say.

Politicians are trying to prove they are taking action, police are attempting to show they have the problem under control and volunteer groups are bidding to stem the problem.

But is any of this making a difference to the lives of the young people in the gangs?

"No way," says one 19-year-old from Catford.

The woman, who used to hang out with The Ghetto Boys, Lewisham's biggest and most infamous gang, says the problem is the youngsters' mentality, which is shaped before the age of 10.

She says you have to catch them by this age, otherwise they will grow up in a gang culture.

And she claims understanding their mentality is the key to solving the problem - before it starts.

The teenager said: "I was getting high and drunk by the age of 13.

"Then I started stealing and robbing.

"For the kids growing up around me, it made perfect sense to want to be a part of a gang.

"Older guys ranging from 20 to 28 use the younger boys aged from 10 to 15 to carry guns and sell drugs.

"In return they get the girls, money, cars and respect.

"Who would turn that down?"

The girl, who grew up in care, remembers when she used to do things solely for the recognition of the gang.

It was their respect she craved.

She said: "If I wanted to impress people, I would get my friends and beat up someone who was well known in the scene.

"Then people would be talking about how hard I was, earning me respect.

"When they came after me, I could get guns to protect me and my friends, furthering my reputation.

"This cycle happens all the time. I would hear stories every day."

According to the teenager, the expectations put on gang members is severe, and protecting their reputation is of paramount importance.

She speaks of a problem which is growing, saying more youths are joining gangs, usually after being rejected by their family, school and society in general.

The teenager said: "The problem is these kids have no strong parental guidance, so they look for it elsewhere.

"They are causing trouble in school, and instead of talking to the kids and helping them, what do the schools do?

"They kick them out, pushing them into the arms of the gangs.

"This is when things get really bad."

Luckily for the teenager, she found a volunteer organisation which has helped her to channel her energy into something productive.

This had offered her a potential career and a meaning to life besides violence.

So when will the problem be solved?

She said: "When people start treating these kids like human beings."