EXCLUSIVE:’The knife crime pandemic has taken over our streets-enough is enough its time politicians listened to parents’-Chris Lambrianou.

‘Stop selling these deadly weapons to our children.‘ Former gangster praises bereaved parents as real heroes in today’s society.

“I’ve been at numerous anti knife crime events to support parents who have lost their child to knife crime. Let me tell you these parents are heroes. They walk the streets everyday desperately trying to stop others lose their life to knife crime. Nobody seems to care though. I’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with them and here we are still with this epidemic on our streets. Children as young as 12 caught with knives stabbing each other. This is madness.”

“When I think about the pain distress and grief which comes with the loss of a loved one wether the perpetrator or the life taken much too soon. All suffer far beyond the imagination .I have personally been present with mums who have lost their beloved children and their bravery to stand together at Number 10 Downing Street praying that someone will listen and come to the conclusions that knife crime is a pandemic that has taken over our streets. Stop the selling of deadly weapons to young children . If caught with a deadly weapon, no fine, no community order . Rehabilitation classes and confronting them with the real damage they are doing to themselves and their family and the threat they are to others.

“Those who injure others need to go to special prisons where they can be treated for their moments of madness. Education, education is the key. Learn and inwardly digest.

In December last year, Chris joined Sue Hedges and April Hayden from the Ricky Hayden Memorial at the Table of Love and Loss event at East Ham Town Hall. The event was a very moving and beautiful tribute to all those who have lost their life in tragic circumstances, organised by Ayse Huseyin who lost her cousin Jan Mustafa.

“I recently attended an event called The table of love and Loss. I did not know what to expect, I imagined a church service , It turned out to be something more and it brought tears to the heart. There were twenty tables and each table shared a dedication to a loved one taken to soon due to knife crime .Those amazing families, mums, dads, brother and sisters sharing their pain and respect for those who were gone too soon. All these families are incredible heroes.”

The word gangster has become a very used term nowadays. What we see on our streets today, is clearly not what was present when this word was first used. Chris Lambrianou knows only too well the reality of what living a life of crime can do. He was incarcerated for 15 years for murder. Just for the record, he never murdered anyone, but went under the joint enterprise law.

Chris stood in the dock at the Old Bailey in 1968 in the biggest murder trial still to this day, the country has ever seen. Chris was one of ten men who was involved in the Kray twins murder trial. As a result, he was sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment for the murder of Jack McVitie. He was seen a high risk category prisoner who as he says, ‘had the full works’ from police helicopters, armed guards and maximum security prisons where there definitely were no mobile phones and xboxes to play with. What there was instead was the highest level of security and frequent solitary confinement. There was no such thing as ‘slap on the wrist’ for Chris, he was faced with the toughest conditions possible.

After leaving prison and serving his full time, Chris never looked back and has spent his time since then helping others get back on their feet and being a support to so many others.

He has for several years now been a strong supporter of bereaved parents fighting the anti knife crime battle. He attends as many of these events as he can and is always the first to support bereaved mothers.

“Nobody seems to genuinely care for these mothers. They have buried a child. These ask nicely for help to stop others going through the heartbreak they have, yet no one cares. They don’t glue themselves in the road and disturb drivers, they stand with placards begging for help.

“Our politicians do not care, if they did they would do something about it and they are not. I’m glad I do not live in London anymore, I have endless respect for these parents, they are the real heroes.”

L-R Ayse Huseyin, Sue Hedges, Chris Lambrianou, April Hayden and Mick Collins at the Table of Love and Loss event.

Stay up to date with all of our latest updates and content by following us on our social media accounts!

We have created community pages where we will share our up-to-date stories happening in the area. Add the area closest to where you live.

Support Local Journalism
We at The Havering Daily appreciate your support of quality journalism. Your generous donation, no matter the size, allows us to continue bringing unbiased and informative news to the community. Your contribution helps us maintain our independence and allows us to continue providing high-quality journalism. Thank you for valuing the work we do and for supporting our mission

Thank you