Nearly 1,000 people have joined a campaign to rename a Norbiton basketball court after a 21-year-old Kingston College student who died in a lift shaft on the Cambridge Road estate in December 2008.

An inquest held last year ruled Patrick Katende died after climbing into the shaft while police officers were investigating a burglary at a computer shop in Cambridge Road.

Mr Katende, a keen basketball player whose street name was Pistol P, often practiced on the Burritt Road court, and a group of friends came up with the idea of renaming it Katende Court when marking the first anniversary of his death.

Lee Rowson, 24, who set up the campaign on Facebook with a friend, said: “Rather than get a bench or something silly we wanted to rename the court.

"Rather than just doing what everyone does, we thought we would try to put something back, especially something like this that would promote sport.

"It is the best way to remember him. To be honest, not a lot good seems to happen on the estate.

"It would improve the relationship with everyone and council.

"He was not part of a gang. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was not a bad guy."

A basketball match planned in his honour last summer was cancelled after police fears about the number of people who would attend.

Polly Chandler, another friend of Mr Katende, said: "I think it is a fantastic idea and a real tribute to a great man. He was always in there so it feels right.

"I think naming it after Pat will be a perfect way to make sure he lives on doing the one thing he lived for."

The council said it had not been contacted by the campaign, but would consider any request on its merits.

Norbiton ward Councillor Penny Shelton said: "There are some feelings that are not very keen on getting associated following the death of that young man.

"I think there will be some people who have those issues but it was a while ago now.

"As far as these [his friends] are concerned he was a good basketball player and a good friend to them, so I really don’t see the naming of a small court would raise many objections. I can’t see any harm at all."

Jill Preston, chairwoman of the Cambridge Road Estates community group, said: "I have no problem marking the tragedy.

"There has to be something because of the feeling they have, but what that would be is another question.

"We would be more than happy to listen to what they have to say. In fact, we would welcome it."