Knife Crime-The Day My Life Changed.

By Francesca Lilleystone

Editor-in-Chief and co-founder of The Havering Daily. Passionate about community journalism and highlighting local stories that matter.

In 2016 the knife crime epidemic was just starting to rear its ugly head. As a journalist, this was another issue for us to write on and more sensational headlines. Mothers and families from right across London including Havering had children murdered on our streets. Campaigners were beginning to emerge to fight against knife crime and the carrying of the most unbelievable weapons.

I approached- as many journalists did, different organisations to see if I could interview a bereaved mother and formally put my request in. What I did not expect was how it was to change my life forever.

I was informed that two Havering mothers would be emailing me with their story, which I was pleased about and shrugged it off as another new story that would give me a good headline. I distinctly remember where I was when the two emails came through.

I had left the Town Hall in Romford, and checked my phone to see an email from Peguy Kato and Sue Hedges. I was in between council meetings so chose to read these emails as I sat outside. Both mums wrote from the heart. Sue wrote that her family’s life had been shattered and informed me of how they had to turn her son’s life support machine off. Peguy told me how she had lost her oldest son and that she didn’t think the the sun would ever shine again. Without realising it, the tears had poured down my face and I was left with a huge sense of sadness. This wasn’t just another story. These were women who had buried their children.

Now, here we are in 2025 and these women and so many more of them are my closest friends.

These are families that are broken. Families that are left behind by society. Victims of knife crime left with very little support and not even offered counselling.

My journey to meet these families has taken me right across London and even further afield and the common denominator for them all is the word broken.

One mother who I will not name- spends her time on her son’s grave regardless of the weather conditions. Her words to me are “I can’t look in the mirror, I don’t want to see my face. I can’t.” When you call her she will tell you she is sitting with her son (meaning she is by his grave) be it in the snow or a summer’s day, she is there. He was her only son who went out to buy milk and never returned.

In north London I met an anti knife crime campaigner living on a Camden estate who had informed me how mums living on the estate were begging him for help. One 14 year old boy had been arrested for drug dealing and being part of a county lines gang. His mother had begged the police to not take her son away as he was paying for her bills and to put food on the table. 14 years old.

As a supporter of these incredible families I have joined them in endless campaigns to make their voices heard. Outside City Hall, outside Number 10, meetings with officials and yet here we are and knife crime not only continues, but is rampaging across the country in full speed.

There are many victims of knife crime. Families, loved ones and members of the emergency services. Let us remember every police officer who answers the dreaded call, and loses a youth on the street, will carry that scar forever.

These families are truly broken. There is not a day that goes by that they don’t remember their loved one. Julie Taylor who lost 19 year old Liam told me “For a split second when I wake up and open my eyes I think he’s still there. Then the reality sets in and I realise he’s gone.“

Everytime another young person loses their life, these parents feel that pain, they relive it.

So many people pass judgement and comments on how to solve the horrors of knife crime, but spend a day with a bereaved mother or police officer and your reality will soon change.

These women are heroes, these families are brave beyond belief. Sue, Peguy, Julie, you are three remarkable women whose strength and courage to keep fighting this battle should award you a knighthood well before any politican. You work tireslessly and with very little support. You really an incredible inspiration.

Let us remember Ricky Hayden

Liam Fish Taylor

Champion Ganda

and all the others who have lost their life to knife crime.

RIP.

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.