There has been wall to wall press coverage of the guilty verdict in the appalling Ben Kinsella murder case. One article was more thoughtful than the mainstream and covered the alleged role of the local organised crime families, notably the Adams in the suspects decision to hand themselves in. Organised crime is a real issue in Kings Cross, it rarely breaks the surface and is the stuff of many myths and legends. The Observer piece captures a good balance:
'After Ben's murder, the worlds of the three youths and the Adams syndicate would collide. Police have confirmed that a member of the Adams family, whose identity remains unknown (though it is not thought to be Terry), pledged to hunt down Ben's killers, a promise that would terrify anyone with even a passing knowledge of their operations.'
'Prosecutor Nicholas Hillard QC told the Old Bailey jury that the notorious family "weren't happy with a killing on the streets of their area," and that the Adamses were making inquiries to find those responsible.'
One of the more chilling aspects for me were these quotes from senior detective
'…But for detectives investigating such murders, familiar, deeper societal issues often emerge. Sutherland believes the breakdown of the family unit exerts a profoundly negative impact on young men. "The number we come across from broken homes and homes where domestic violence occurs or is witnessed is frightening. They are two of the most alarming and recurring features for me". Macdonald also identified the same factors while investigating Ben's murder. "Lack of parental care is a factor. The father's disappeared, the mother's not home. There is no controlling influence."'
The work of local youth groups such as CYP, Sparkplug, Times Boxing Club and Prospex is an important bulwark against this distrubing trend – providing continuity, stability and guidance in the lives of local young men and women.
ugh the tunnel. The canal was the thing that made Kings Cross – providing the first layer of local transport and heavy industry. Allegedly, the original Irish catholic community of the old Bemerton slum are descended from the navvies (navigators) who dug the canal and the enormous basins. The Evening Standard has reviewed it here. Production runs from today 17th to the 20th book online at www.cptheatre.co.uk . Thanks to Alastair Murray for the tip.
Kings Cross Environment 
