A bigger police presence is needed to combat worsening problems on a Gipsy Hill estate where a man was shot dead last week, residents said.

The Central Hill estate was rocked after 22-year-old Ezra Mills was gunned down in front of the Lambeth Prospect block in Oakwood Drive, shortly after 10pm on Sunday, March 21.

In the aftermath, residents warned the shooting was endemic of growing problems, which had led to the area being known as "drug city".

Tenants association chair Jean Haley said: "It’s still unusual for something like this to happen, but problems on the estate have been getting worse. The estate has got a bad name."

"The police are here when someone has been but where were they before that? We have a safer neighbourhood team but it’s often not fully staffed and does not patrol that often."

She called it “policing on the cheap” and said drug dealers who had been driven out of Brixton and Croydon were coming to Gipsy Hill and Crystal Palace to operate.

She said police resources in the area had to reflect the increase in activity.

Cecil Jeanette, 37, who lives opposite the estate, said: "This is estate has become known as drug city, ask anyone around here. Dealers like it because they can run and hide easily."

One resident, 32, who did not want to be named, said he thought there was a gun problem on the estate and said he had twice been robbed at gunpoint in his home.

A police spokeswoman said the estate had been a primary focus for safer neighbourhoods teams (SNTs), who were fully engaged with the local community even before the killing.

She said a year ago an action plan was drawn up for the estate to engage and address community concerns, and additional CCTV put in place.

SNT Chief Inspector Jon Kirkpatrick visited the estate on Monday, March 22, to reassure and engage with residents. On March 25 Gipsy Hill SNT held a public meeting to further discuss and facilitate community concerns.