Doreen Lawrence warns 'there's not much out there for young people' on the capital's streets

Baroness Lawrence appeared on Loose Women on Tuesday
Getty Images
Sophie Williams28 August 2018

Baroness Doreen Lawrence said that "there's not much out there" for young people in the capital.

The mother of Stephen Lawrence spoke about the rising levels of knife crime on London's streets during an appearance on Loose Women.

She said: "The youth clubs have gone, when my boys were young, they had clubs and things. Those are the things they need to make sure are there.

"We need to understand from the young people, what is missing in their life. They're on the street. Why isn't there somewhere for them to go ? We need to sort those bits out."

In 1999, Stephen Lawrence was beaten and stabbed to death at a bus stop in southeast London in in an unprovoked attack by a gang of white youths shouting racist abuse.

After his death, she founded the Stephen Lawrence Trust with the aim of transforming the lives of young people and achieving social change.

At least 58 people have been stabbed to death in London so far this year.

Baroness Lawrence called on parents to have dialogue with their children and "have evening meals together."

The 65-year-old also told the panel that there needs to be "role models for kids."

 Prime Minister Theresa May stands with Doreen Lawrence as she arrives at a service at St Martin-in-The Fields
REUTERS

She said: "Talk to them about what's happening in their lives, just have a bit more openness with the kids rather than saying this is what we want you to do. Bring back more role models and bring a positive side."

Last week, Metropolitan Police announced its 100th homicide investigation in the capital this year.

A man in his 20s was attacked and stabbed to death in Deptford late on Saturday night.

Police found him suffering from knife wounds in Creek Road, near to the junction with Deptford Church Street at 11.45pm.

He was rushed to a south London hospital by paramedics but was pronounced dead at 12.40am

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