'Don't snitch' flyers came from a disgruntled murder witness

Police have identified the source of "don't snitch" flyers that were handed out on a south London estate where a teenager was shot dead, it emerged today.

Officers said the person responsible was a disgruntled individual rather than anyone linked to gangs.

Dozens of flyers with the headline "No one likes a rat!" were put through residents' doors on the Pelican Estate in Peckham.

Initially there were fears the action was linked to the murder of 17-year-old athlete Sylvester Akapalara who was shot dead in Peckham on December 29, but detectives revealed the leaflets were the work of a witness in a separate murder case who had become "unhappy" with the way he was treated.

Detective Superintendent Gary Richardson, operational head of the Trident task force which tackles armed gangs, said he had spoken to the man who had "given an undertaking not to repeat" the action.

He said the individual had not been arrested. "We have spoken and he has had some concerns about his treatment. We are not in the business of prosecuting witnesses," Mr Richardson said.

The flyers were condemned by the father of murdered 10-year-old Damilola Taylor. Richard Taylor said they were an attempt to "create a wall of silence".

Three people have been charged with the murder of Mr Akapalara. Police say they have spoken to dozens of witnesses.