The family of an innocent young man murdered at a gang member's funeral say they want "answers" about whether police failings played any role in his death.

Azezur "Ronnie" Khan, 21, was shot dead as he left the funeral of his old school friend Joel Morgan, a member of the GAS gang based in Lambeth, south London, who had died in a road accident in 2011.

Police had been warned violence could flare because the burial took place in a rival gang's "turf" in Southwark.

The gang had a history of tensions with rival groups, including the Peckham Young Guns and Peckham Boys.

But despite Mr Morgan's mother requesting police presence, no officers were sent.

Mr Khan, who had no links to gangs and was a devout Muslim, was shot dead by an unknown gunman at the funeral on November 3, 2011.

Speaking before an inquest into his death, his older brother Pinto Khan, 32, said: "Over four years ago our little brother Ronnie Khan was murdered whilst attending a funeral.

"It later became apparent that nobody would be convicted of his murder.

"We are here to explore whether Ronnie's death could have been avoided."

Mr Khan said the family want to know if "police failings" had any role in his brother's death.

He added: "We are here today to try to get some answers and explore whether or not his death could have been avoided.

"It has been a long time that we have been waiting, we are pleased it is finally happening.

"It has taken a long time and we are looking forward to getting the answers we deserve."

Mr Khan's killer has never been caught.

Southwark Coroner's Court heard that Mr Khan died from a single gunshot wound to the abdomen.

The post-mortem examination report found that the "penetration by the bullet would be in keeping with a powerful weapon such as a 9mm handgun".

The bullet caused severe internal haemorrhage, and massive blood loss was highly likely to have led Mr Khan to have a heart attack and die within minutes, the inquest heard.

Mr Khan was shot dead as he attended the funeral of Mr Morgan, who was involved in gangs, the inquest heard.

Mr Morgan's mother, Carlene Brookes, had told officers she feared someone would desecrate her son's grave at the funeral, or that someone from the "rival gang" might turn up at her home.

She asked officers to police her son's funeral, which was being held at a cemetery on a rival gang's turf in Southwark. But they refused to send any officers, the inquest heard.

Pc Darren Pemble from Surrey Police was the family liaison officer for the Morgan family and logged in his records at the time: "Mum thinks Joel was associated with drugs supply and that Joel and his friends were 'into stuff'. Dad thinks Joel is easily led."

The court also heard that police had intelligence that Mr Morgan "had an association with gangs". In his police log Pc Pemble wrote: "Mrs Brookes has heard indirectly that a rival gang will desecrate or damage Joel's grave in Forest Hill Old Cemetery."

Other police notes stated: "Old Cemetery on rival gang patch and they have threatened to damage the headstone. She feels unsafe and fearful of retribution from a rival gang."

Pc Pemble said he told Detective Sergeant Matt Hermon from the Met Police that the family requested a police presence at the funeral amid fears it could be targeted by rival gangs, but this request was refused.

An email from police discussing arrangements stated: "There is no proposal to put additional resources in, but it has been brought to the attention of the team." It added that there was "no specific intelligence about any conflict at this event".

In a statement written shortly after the incident recalling his conversation with the Met Police, Pc Pemble wrote: "Matt advised it was not policy to be seen to be affiliated with a particular gang and would not provide a police presence, but would be nearby if assistance was requested."

But barrister Sasha Wass QC, representing the Met Police, said: "Mr Hermon said there was no request made in that telephone call by you for a police presence."

Challenging Pc Pemble on whether he could be mistaken about this request, she said: "There is room for mistakes."

But Pc Pemble said: "No, I recall what I said was correct."