At the top of Shoot Up Hill in Kilburn, there's an illuminated poster holder. I've mentioned it before. The posters in it - rotated on a monthly basis - are often on the theme of gun violence in Harlesden. These posters look like they've been knocked up by someone at Brent Council - someone in-house who once did a Photoshop course and who fancies himself as a bit of a graphic designer. Someone with some very strange ideas.

The latest poster has a banner headline "STOP THE KILLING" and a picture of a young black policeman encircled by curved bullets [click on thumbnail below to see a large version]. A circle of violence, you see?


But no, that's not what I see. Go on, click on the thumbnail below to see an enlarged photo of the detail. It's a penis. Or a dildo. Well, it is, isn't it? [Please tell me it's not just me!]


What are they trying to tell us? Stop this black-on-black vibrator violence? I picture gangs roaming the streets of west London, attacking each other with Jeff Stryker replicas. Brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "Harlesden Massive"...!