A policeman guards a cordon around Fraser House after the murder scene was taped off

It's been more than two weeks since two machine gun-toting men burst into a Brentford flat, shooting dead one man and leaving another in hospital.

Police investigators, local officers and antisocial behaviour leaders have all released statements urging residents to remain calm.

But, with no suspects arrested and no descriptions of the culprits released, tensions remain high amongst the shocked local community.

The deadly attack took place on the night of January 25 in Fraser House, off Green Dragon Lane.

Dean Tully, 37, was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering multiple gunshot wounds.

The second injured man, who has not been named by authorities, was taken to hospital in a "life-threatening" condition but has now recovered and been sent home.

Around seven other people who were in the flat at the time escaped unscathed and police are still hoping to speak to all those present.

It is believed that the two shooters, who allegedly came from Acton, were armed with an automatic machine gun and a handgun.

Crime scene: Fraser House on the Brentford Towers estate

But police ballistic tests have yet to confirm this.

The incident was also alleged drug-related, although police have yet to establish a firm motive.

CCTV footage taken by cameras near to the scene is now being studied by the Met Police's Homicide & Serious Crime Command with Detective Chief Inspector Mick Duthie leading the investigation.

Fraser House is just one of six high-rise blocks of mainly council-owned flats which make up the Brentford Towers estate.

Drugs have developed into a big problem there over recent months.

Following the attack, police revealed that 49 people have been arrested for drugs offences around the estate in the last nine months.

Most of these were dealers held for possession with intent to supply.

A crack house where people came to do drugs and collect illegal substances to sell on has also been shut down in recent months.

The proliferation of drug dealers has become a worry for some residents.

A mum living opposite Fraser House said: "It's worrying especially when it is on your doorstep."

She added: "It's fairly quiet around here really but you get a lot of kids beaten up around her by drug dealers."

Another woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "We tell our girls not to go over there to the Brentford Towers estate."

One Fraser House resident who heard the shots being fired said: "No one knows who the gunmen were, but people are too frightened to come forward.

"This estate seemed to be getting better, but guns are a serious problem nowadays."

Another resident from nearby Cornish House, also part of Brentford Towers, said: "We really need to have this estate cleaned up. We shouldn't have to live around crackheads and drug dealers. The police have been trying to sort it out, but they've raided the wrong homes."

Last week Superintendent Simon Phipps, of Hounslow Police, released a statement in the hope of calming residents' nerves.

He said: "This is a shocking and isolated incident on Hounslow borough.

"We are aware from speaking to the local community that there are concerns about the use of drugs and drugs related criminal behaviour in the area. We can reassure residents that local police, Hounslow Council and Hounslow Homes, are doing everything possible to rid the estate of crime and drug crime in particular.

"Police officers have been carrying out extra patrols on the Brentford Towers estate, alongside Hounslow Homes' neighbourhood wardens, to speak to residents and reassure them. In addition, the Community Safety Bus has been on the estate to provide information and an opportunity for residents to discuss their concerns.

"It is crucial that people tell us their concerns so we can tackle them."

Tackling drug-related crime in the Brentford area has been one of the top priorities for the local Safer Neighbourhood Team since April 2006, he said, after many residents raised their concerns at police meetings.

Officers also held a meeting with Brentford Towers residents on Thursday February 1 in a mobile police station to provide reassurance.

"Hounslow Police, Hounslow Homes and Hounslow Council along with others are making great efforts to reduce crime in the borough," Supt Phipps added.

"It is very important that residents tell the authorities what concerns they have about crime in this locality, and report any incidents to us."

Mark O'Brien, Hounslow Homes' east area antisocial behaviour team leader, added: "Hounslow Homes and the Police are working closely to reassure residents on the Brentford Towers Estate of their safety. CCTV is in all the buildings and footage has been given to the police to assist in their investigations.

"We work hard to tackle antisocial behaviour on estates, and we are committed to upgrading security for our tenants. In addition, concierge staff will receive further training on community safety issues of allowing access to non-residents in residential buildings. Together with the Police we are committed to rid the estate of drug-related offences, and will prioritise the closure of premises in connection with these types of offences."

Police are still appealing for further witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

DCI Duthrie said: "Any little bit of information, no matter how irrelevant you think it is, could help catch these men. You might have seen someone sitting in a car, hanging around for no apparent reason or just looking shifty. You might think is not important but it could help our investigation.

"We would like to thank the community for the information they have given us."

Anyone with any information about criminal activity within the estates should contact Brentford Safer Neighbourhoods Team on 020 8712 2533. Residents should also contact Hounslow Homes ASB team if they would like to report any incidents of harassment or antisocial behaviour on freephone 0800 085 6575.

If you have any further information about the murder of Dean Tully, call the Police Incident Room at Sutton police station on 0208 721 4165 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

12:42pm Friday 9th February 2007

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