23 August 2009

Hundreds join anti-crime protest

Hundreds join anti-crime protest

Hundreds of people have marched across central London in a protest against gun and knife crime.

Anti gun and knife march
The march ended with a rally in Kennington Park

Relatives of victims, Christian groups and young people marched from Whitehall to a Kennington Park rally.

Marchers included Jackie Summerford, whose daughter Bonnie Barrett was murdered by serial killer Derek Brown.

The event was organised by London groups Living Intentionally Versus Existing (Live) and Families Against Murders Escalating (Fame).

'Give hope'

A spokeswoman for Live said the march aimed to give young people positive alternatives to crime.

"People who use knives or weapons just see it as a means to an end - they may feel that they have got nobody else to talk to," she said.

"If you can give an individual the mentality that you can live, you can get something out of your life rather than just existing, you give them hope."

Fame founder Jackie Summerford's 24-year-old daughter was killed by serial sex attacker Brown, 47, who was jailed in October 2008.

"She was murdered and her body has never been found," Miss Summerford said. "The guy is now serving 30 years which, to me, is not enough.

"We want the justice system to be changed - we say life should mean life."

The march followed the death of 19-year-old DJ Carl Beatson Asiedu, from Norbury in south London.

He died of stab wounds near Club Life, London Bridge, on 1 August.

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