'It's time to reclaim our streets'
Emotion-packed Save Our Streets roadshow hits Eltham
VICTIMS of crime called for tougher sentences and on communities to reclaim their neighbourhoods' as our Save our Streets campaign hit the road again this week.
Among the audience at the emotion-charged SOS roadshow meeting was Sandra Maitland, the mother of murdered 14-year-old schoolboy Shaquille Townsend.
Sandra attended just a day after seeing six thugs convicted of killing her son in an unprovoked attack near their home in Hackney, east London.
The panel, including Justice Secretary Jack Straw, heard Sandra's and a string of other heartbreaking stories of families in Britain torn apart by violence on our streets.
Hosted by Sky News anchor Kay Burley, the panel also consisted of Barry Mizen, the father of murdered Jimmy Mizen, Richard Taylor, whose ten-year-old son Damilola was stabbed to death in a south London housing estate stairwell in 2000, Karim Brohi, a trauma and heart injuries specialist, and News of the World columnist Carole Malone.
Mr Straw was told by a string of audience members that tougher laws and prison sentences are needed to curb the wave of violence wrecking so many lives.
The first leg of our groundbreaking campaign this year was held at the St Thomas More Catholic Comprehensive School in Eltham, south east London.
It was the school attended by 16-year-old Jimmy before he died.
Speaking at the meeting, Shaquille's mother Sandra said: "I didn't know what to expect when I came here but I am really glad I came.
"It's difficult to know where to turn when this happens to you."
In a series of heart-rending accounts given on the night, parents told how their lives have been devastated by knife and violent crime.
One spoke about the pain of watching her son's alleged killers walk free from court and slammed the justice system for failing her family.
The Reverend Joyce Daley, who was supporting Shaquille's mother, spoke of the need to challenge youngsters who badly behave and the need to rebuild a sense of community.
At the end of the event, Barry Mizen told how he is aiming to bring famlies together to help in the fight against violence crime in a positive way by launching a support network for relatives at www.familiesutd.com
The roadshow was the first in a series we are holding across the country in this the second year of our Save Our Streets campaign. They our designed to give members of the public a say on the violence that is blighting our communities and changing the way we live our lives.
Our next roadshow will be held at Upper Shirley High, Bellamoor Road, Southampton, on Thursday June 25 at 7pm.
Entry is free but strictly by ticket only. Gets yours by emailing saveourstreets@notw.co.uk .
After Southampton, we travel to Ilford, Leeds, Nottingham, Swansea, Brighton and Manchester.
For the full story on the Eltham roadshow, read Sunday's News of the World.
This article has 10 comments
Life imprisonment and capital punishment must be implemented. It will not deter all this scum that are intent on destroying life, but it will make a difference and would provide some justice for those greiving families . National service would take this rubbish of the streets and instill some self respect and disipline into them.
By Richard Clarke. Posted June 14 2009 at 6:54 PM.
The goverment live in cuckoo land and cant see whats happening at grass roots level. Nothing will happen till it efects them and their families.
People are crying out for help but who listens.
By David Cross. Posted June 14 2009 at 2:58 PM.
What deterrent is there today. Life should mean life with no parole. If you are sentenced to 8 years in prison you do 8 years. None of this where you get time off for good behaviour. You should just get time ADDED ON for bad behaviour. All this pussy footing with do gooders saying that householders shouldn't be able to beat the proverbial out of a burglar or defend yourself etc, the criminals have got it all their own way. Victims should have a say in what punishment should be given and the judges should be made to talk to the victims to see how the crime has affected their lives then perhaps we might see some heftier sentences handed out. Ask the the public what they think about crime and punishment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
By Karen 51. Posted June 14 2009 at 2:31 PM.
Does anyone really think that this is going to make any difference to the way the government thinks.
They pull out all the old mantras of what they are doing (not) and then sit back and do what they have always been doing, NOTHING!
Jack Straw is taking taxpayers money in salaray under false pretences, he presides over a non existent department that does nothing - what a way to earn a living.
Get rid of the whole lot of them, all they are interested in at this moment is 'how can I save my job'!
The electorate can look after itself seems to be the attitude of the moment.
By John Newman. Posted June 14 2009 at 12:08 PM.
There is only one way to turn this around. Do what New York City did during the 1990's. Even though I don't like Rudy Giuliani (former NYC mayor) he turned the city around completely. It will take to long to explain it, but google
"Giuliani, Wilson, "Broken Windows" approach"
Of course you will need to have real police officers. The security guard cops you have are useless
By kim. Posted June 14 2009 at 2:21 AM.
Just more lip service. This government has ruined this country, they are to blame for the most of the UK's problems.
I looked on crimestoppers website today, clicked on the most wanted and they are all foreigners. Immigration has a lot to answer for. Take back our streets by stopping immigration for a start.
By Ken. Posted June 14 2009 at 12:43 AM.
How approprite that they chose Eltham where a group of Anthony Lawrence's killers are still free to roam the streets - completely unpunished
By Keith Price. Posted June 14 2009 at 12:46 AM.
Tlk about shutting the stable door when the horse has bolted !.
By Dave. Posted June 13 2009 at 11:09 PM.
To litttle to late for this government,Why does it take lots of innocent people to die and a election for them to consider taking the streets back.What we need is the death sentence and the birch re-instating to get control back in our schools and streets ,but this government wont bring them back .its that same old addage "the tail wagging the dog"
By Ace Riley. Posted June 13 2009 at 2:59 PM.
Only the return of some form of capital punishment for cretain types of murder will change the situation we have now. I honestly believe that nothjijng else will work - if just one murderer loses his life this way - they will get the message.
By Cllr Joan Mctigue. Posted June 13 2009 at 1:23 AM.