A YOUTH worker was shot on his way home in Gospel Oak on Monday night after trying to defuse a street row. The Ham&High understands the 27-year-old youth worker was shot in the knee after trying to intervene in an argument between two groups of men at he

A YOUTH worker was shot on his way home in Gospel Oak on Monday night after trying to defuse a street row.

The Ham&High understands the 27-year-old youth worker was shot in the knee after trying to intervene in an argument between two groups of men at he junction of Ashdown Crescent and Queen's Crescent.

Another 16-year-old boy who was standing innocently nearby was also shot and reportedly had to have part of a bullet pulled from his head after it ricocheted into his path.

Both victims are believed to be in a stable condition.

The incident, which is the third shooting in Gospel Oak in less than a year, has left the community on edge.

Mick Farrant, chairman of the board of directors at Queen's Crescent Community Association said the shooting was not connected to the community centre.

He said: "We have become increasingly concerned over the past two months about what appears to be growing violence in the area.

"A major problem for the Gospel Oak area is the lack of facilities for young people some of whom thus spend their time on the streets."

Chairman of the Gospel Oak Safer Neighbourhoods Team citizen's panel Chris Fagg said: "This is a very serious incident.

"This is the third shooting in a year and that is three too many.

"But I don't think it is felt there has been a rise in gang warfare in Gospel Oak."

The team has announced they will be holding a public meeting at 5pm on Saturday to discuss the response to the shooting.

It is thought the incident was caught on CCTV and the suspect's getaway car, which police pursued until he fled on foot, was later recovered by police.

No arrests have been made.

An emergency meeting of community leaders and police chiefs was held on Tuesday afternoon to discuss how best to respond to the shooting and how to calm the fears of the community.

Despite recent figures which showed gun crime was on the rise, Supt Raj Kohli from community and partnership stressed that shootings were still uncommon in Camden.

He said: "Incidents such as these are rare but we will always take them extremely seriously.

"Thankfully, the victim's injuries were relatively minor and both are expected to make a full recovery.

"Additional police patrols can be expected in the area and I would like to reassure the community that we are working with our Trident colleagues and feel confident that those responsible will be quickly apprehended."

This week Camden Council announced it was spending �900,000 on community safety improvements, such as CCTV and better lighting, in areas across the borough including Gospel Oak.