The leaders of Don’t Say Nothing were arrested in a series of operations by police which led to the conviction of more than 15 senior members. Here HARRY MILLER highlights some of the jailed gangsters.

The arrests of the DSN leading members came after a proactive police operation was launched to rid the streets of teen violence.

A series of stabbings across the borough, which left several young men dead, expedited the need for the gangs unit to get to grips with a growing epidemic of youth violence.

This meant the Operation Aries team worked almost 24-hours a day to secure warrants, arrest suspects and gather intelligence that would ultimately lead to the gangs’ downfall.

The four-strong team were instrumental in stemming the flow of violence and connecting with both the youths involved and their parents.

Sergeant Darin Birmingham said: “The crime part of it was just one small piece in the bigger puzzle. We needed to let the youths and their families know that this wasn’t the only route open to them. We have joined forces with local army units, colleges and schools to try and get these kids off the streets and into either some sort of education or work.”

By liaising with both prisons and education centres the team are able to follow the gang members from their convictions up until their release from prison. By doing this they can offer the youths alternatives to a life of crime and can keep an eye on them to assure they don’t slip back into criminal activity.

Joland Giwa, – street name Dexter – 20, had a history of violent offences and possession of offensive weapons.

Giwa was convicted in March of this year for his part in a carjacking, after being convicted the previous year for robbing a Blockbuster video store.

The self-styled “general” of the DSN gang posted on his social networking page he would soon be back on the streets of Croydon.

However, last month it came to light the UK Border Agency had launched proceedings to have the Sierra Leonean deported back to his native country.

Curtis “Nemz” Bamfo, 20, was convicted in October 2008 for a number of weapons offences and sentenced to three years.

He was found carrying weapons on various occasions including an imitation gun. In 2007 a search of Bamfo’s car found a large kitchen knife under the front seat floor mat, a small kitchen knife in the driver’s door pocket and a steak knife under the rear driver’s side floor mat, and he had a knife in his pocket.

Bill “Thai Kid” Landgridge, 20, was this week convicted of a robbery in Crowley Crescent, Croydon. Langridge was part of a trio who held up two brothers at knife point.

They rushed inside the house and held a knife to the throat of one brother’s and then put a knife to the other’s chest.

The trio then boasted they were part of a local gang, before running off.

Ezekiel Kondowe, 20, was convicted in October 2008 for robbery and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

On April 12, 2008, at about 11pm Kondowe was part of a group of youths who surrounded two brothers on a tram in Woodside, Croydon and threatened them.

They chased the brothers from the tram and tried to hit them with a belt. Kondowe was caught with a stolen DVD.

Deon Smith was 19-years-old when convicted in November 2008 and sentenced to two years nine months for robbery.

Ashley “Caste” Sheridan was recalled to prison to finish a 12 month sentence for burglary after contravening his license. He was seen associating with DSN members. He travelled around Croydon wearing a bulletproof vest after threats were made against him while in prison.