By Poonam Taneja BBC Asian Network

There are many Sri Lankan restaurants in East Ham and travel agents offering special deals to Colombo: even the graffiti here is in Tamil scrawl.

	Police in London say gang members now run a protection racket

It is also home to one of the most notorious Tamil gangs in the country: the east ham boys.

Since 2000 ten people have been killed in the capital as a result of violent clashes between rival Tamil groups.

Police say some members of the Tamil community are living in fear. They even set up a special task force to deal with them.

Abhi has seen first hand what the gangs are capable of.

Eyewitness account

Four years ago a friend was shot dead at close range and in a separate incident he too was attacked.

The killings have now stopped due to a series of crackdowns, police patrols and close circuit cameras on the high street. But the threats continue.

They are now involved in a racket demanding cash from local businesses and residents. Those who refuse are threatened with violence.

Officers believe the youngsters are working for the Tamil Tigers which is banned in Britain as a terrorist outfit.

Working for LTTE

Chief inspector Derek Griffiths of Newham police says the east ham boys are now running a protection racket.

Despite many arrests, few gang members ever make it to court.

Labour councillor Paul Sathianesan says in the past witnesses have been scared to give evidence.

The police say they're clamping down on the gang by banning them from the area for five years.

Community leaders however fear that other youngsters may be all too willing to take their place.