RESIDENTS on a troubled estate where a man was shot in the early hours of this morning say they are fearful following the incident.

The victim, who is fighting for his life in hospital is understood to be a postman, according to neighbours who say he was gunned down in front of his mother and girlfriend.

It is understood he was shot several times, with one shot in the groin. He was airlifted to hospital where his condition is described as critical.

A large area around flats in Marsh Drive and Marriotts Close has been cordoned off by police and forensics officers are combing the scene in search of the weapon.

Hallways of one of the blocks of flats in Marsh Drive have also been closed off while forensics officers carry out tests.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said her 11-year-old daughter heard a “commotion” outside her bedroom window and then what sounded like “bins being knocked over”.

She added: “My daughter told me this morning she heard a lot of shouting and screaming. She said afterwards she just went back to sleep.

“It's really worrying. It's not the first incident on this estate and things are getting worse definitely. I see people sat in their cars openly dealing and taking drugs in front of the children.

“If I had the money I would move away tomorrow. This is not the kind of place I want to bring up my children.”

Another resident, who has lived in the estate for nearly 40 years, said it was becoming a “dumping ground” for troublemakers by the council.

She added: “It's a very close knit community but in the last year they have started to bring in a lot of people with problems who are making life a misery for us.

“It's a regeneration estate so maybe they are trying to get the secured tenants to move so we don't cause a problem when they do start to rebuild.

“We have had the police around here a lot recently and they are doing there best, but people are just being dumped here.”

Detectives from Scotland Yard's Trident team are currently investigating and anyone with information is asked to call 020 8733 4774, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.