Yet the emotions of sadness and grief were tinged with anger at what had caused such a tragedy.

Young and old from the Birmingham community in which Toni-Ann had spent the last three years of her life turned out to pay their own personal respects on Friday.

Hundreds packed into the New Testament Church of God, where Toni-Ann had once been a member of the Sunday school.

Her small, white coffin was adorned with a floral tribute spelling out 'Daughter' in white and yellow daisies.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police team investigating the murder of Toni-Ann and her father, joined family, friends and community leaders in reading tributes inside.

Family friend Maria Hall, 43, from Newtown, was among those attending the service who expressed anger at the problem of guns on Britain's streets and its effect on ordinary people.

Dorothy Bair and Maria Hall attended the funeral

She told BBC News Online: "I don't think enough is being done. At the end of the day a seven-year-old little girl's life has been taken away.

"You have to feel for her family."

Dorothy Bair, 40, also from Newtown, said: "I feel unsafe, we need more police on the beat.

"I wouldn't say they would totally stop it but they would help to calm it down."

Others who had never known Toni-Ann but were still touched by her death waited outside.

Alison Leachman, 70, from Handsworth, said: "It's a sad day. I don't see the reason why anyone could kill a young baby girl.

"The whole world has gone upside down, nobody thinks about anybody but themselves."

Words fail me, it is an absolute tragedy. It is a disgusting situation that gun crime is allowed to go on Carl Williams

She echoed the sentiments of fear within the community.

Ms Leachman added: "It has got out of hand. When I came here in 1956 I could walk or go anywhere and nobody upset me.

"Now I have to be very careful where I walk."

She suggested soldiers should even be drafted in to deal with the problem.

"They are rougher than police. It's time we lived together like human beings, not killing each other."

Carl Williams, 35, who had travelled from London to watch the ceremony, said: "Words fail me, it is an absolute tragedy. It is a disgusting situation that gun crime is allowed to go on.

Cynthia Birch wants tougher punishment

"Lots of things could be done about it. It is a society problem and the institutions need to put their heads together about the number of people who are disadvantaged and turn to crime."

He added: "The black community is a very law abiding community but there is a small minority causing a great deal of distrust among us.

"But every community is fearful right now."

Handsworth residents, Cynthia Birch, 60, said: "I've got grandchildren and I wouldn't want it to happen to them.

"It is disgusting and abysmal for such a small child who doesn't know anything about life or the world to have her life washed away.

"Nobody has anybody's interests at heart and will do anything to get what they want.

"More needs to be done. I believe whenever they catch a person who has taken another person's life they serve one, two or three years and then they are back on the streets.

"They need to be absolutely punished."