How do we end the bloodshed?

Ellie Keen — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:55:21 +0000

With five young men already murdered in Edmonton, north London, this year, questions are being asked at the highest levels about how to stop the bloodshed on the streets.

Edmonton has been dubbed the new ‘murder mile’, and many young residents are as anxious as politicians and parents to end the violence.

Mark Thomas lives near to where fifth victim Bakari Bernard-Davis resided. Known as ‘preacher’, the 18-year-old student told The Voice:

“More policing, better CCTV coverage on the local estates, and harsher punishments for those caught with a weapon needs to be put into place straight away in solving the growing epidemic of knife crime in Edmonton.”

He added: “Trust me when I say I hate feds [police], but right now the community needs to work with them to make our streets safe again.

“These so-called ‘street thugs’ are literally getting away with murder, and innocent people are dying.”

The murder follows those of 18-year-old Henry Bolombi on New Year’s Day, Louis Boduka, on January 21, 16-year-old Iyke Nmezu, on February 29 and 18-year-old Michael Jones, on March 13.

Bernard-Davis, a 24-year-old father of one, was murdered outside his home hours after Boris Johnson, the Conservative candidate for London Mayor, visited Edmonton’s Bounces Road Community Hall.

Johnson had been on a walkabout with Conservative leader David Cameron to discuss violence and anti-social behaviour among youths.

Bernard-Davis was found lying in Bedevere Road, Edmonton, just before 9pm on March 31. Suffering from stab wounds, he died at the scene half an hour later, making him the 16th victim under 25 to be killed in London.

The figure so far has already passed the half mark of total deaths last year. In 2007, 26 were killed – 16 were attacked with knives, nine died in gun incidents, and in one case the cause of death is yet to be confirmed.

Known to his family and friends as ‘Judah’, Bernard-Davis came from a well-respected Rastafarian family.

His parents had recently returned to the UK after spending some time in Kenya. He also leaves behind a younger brother and three sisters.

Within an hour of the murder, The Voice spoke to several residents that live near Bedevere Road. Cries of “not another yout” were heard from many onlookers.

“I can’t believe dreadie is dead,” said a neighbour. “He was a good yout who always walked alone. Why…why him? He did not even have the chance to cry for help.”

The huge rise in the number of teenagers being killed on the streets of London is the biggest threat facing the capital, after terrorism.

Two more teenagers were stabbed to death within hours of each other in separate incidents this week. A boy aged 14 was stabbed in the throat after an argument with a friend, and a 17-year-old youth was stabbed in the chest. Both attacks happened in daylight.

A close-knit community, Edmonton was once known as the ‘towers of Enfield’, due to the four high-rise flats that dominated the north London skyline. However, the flats were demolished in 2001 and replaced by modern redbrick houses, in an attempt to create a pleasant and safer environment for the community.

Edmonton MP Andy Love said: “We need to break this trend. I am profoundly shocked…this is totally and completely unprecedented in living memory.

“There is nothing on the scale of what we have seen in the last three months for the whole population.”

Devastated that her son’s life was cut short, Bernard-Davis’ mother told The Voice:

“I still can’t believe that my son is gone… Judah was a great son and brother to his siblings, not forgetting a dad. He was intelligent, with a good heart.”

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed Bakari Bernard-Davis’ murder, or has any information, to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Janelle Oswald | ukwatch.net

How do we end the bloodshed?