Gang fight hero up for bravery award (From Croydon Guardian)

Croydon gang fight hero up for bravery award

7:00am Friday 16th July 2010 in Croydon Champions By Cecily Liu

A neighbourhood enforcement officer who single-handedly tried to stop a gang fight in central Croydon has been nominated for a Croydon Champions act of bravery award.

Mark Peskett, 46, fearlessly waded into the middle of a fight raging between the Don’t Say Nothing gang and the Shine My Nine gang on February 19.

The father-of-two entered into the fracas, which sent shoppers ducking out of the way, and tried to calm gang members as they fought a pitched battle in North End.

He said: “My only real thought was to calm things down as quickly as possible to make sure that nobody got hurt. In a situation like that you have to rely on instinct and training.

“I did not physically get involved, but by repeatedly telling the group to stop in a firm and confident way, the fight dispersed.”

The fight outside the Whitgift Shopping centre involved up to 30 youths armed with anything they could find.

The youths battled it out, grabbing chairs and even a busker’s violin but Mr Peskett stood his ground and calmly and assertively tried to calm the situation.

His wife Wendy said: “In the past two months Mark apprehended a youth who had just stabbed another in the face and only recently has been nominated for a police commendation [for trying to stop the gang fight].

“Mark is not one to seek glory or recognition, however, he carries out his Neo role to the best of his ability and goes above and beyond what is expected of him.”

Having lived in Croydon for 24 years, Mr Peskett feels being a Neo is the best way to give something back to the community he loves.

And he tries to fit as much family time as he can around his irregular schedule.

He said: “Becoming a Neo has made me appreciate my local environment more.

“My five-year-old daughter Kristy always gets excited when she sees me in uniform.”

Every week the Croydon Guardian features a Champion’s nominee in the paper and we are looking for more heroes. If you know of anyone worthy of recognition, nominate them for an award at www.croydonguardian.co.uk/croydonchampions.