Exclusive: London Churches Turn Their Backs On Knife Crime Families, Says Former Gangster Chris Lambrianou.

Families who have lost loved ones to knife crime deserve compassion and support — yet too often, they are ignored, even by churches, says Chris Lambrianou.

“These mums deserve kindness and compassion, yet they don’t get it from anyone,” says former gangster Chris Lambrianou. “A Church is supposed to be the House of God, a place where you can find Jesus, someone who doesn’t turn His back on these mums, yet they close their doors to them instead of welcoming them.”

Chris has spent years supporting mothers who have lost their sons to knife crime. He works tirelessly with these families to provide comfort where he can. “These families deserve justice, kindness, and compassion — and they do not get it. People ignore them or turn their backs on them because of the stigma knife crime carries. Just how appalling is that?” he told the Havering Daily.

He believes churches should step up. “Jesus supports all of us. He tells us that ‘if two or more on earth gather in my name, there I am with them.’ Yet why do these churches not deem it acceptable to host a service to support these families?”

Chris has worked alongside Havering mums Sue Hedges and Peguy Kato in campaigning against knife crime. He has reached out to London-based churches, including Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral, asking them to host a special service for families who have lost a loved one. “They aren’t interested when you contact them. They rarely respond. It seems these churches do not welcome mums and all those that Jesus would have welcomed with open arms,” he says.

Despite repeated attempts, his efforts have so far been met with silence. “You email people and they don’t respond. You share hope that, in the name of Jesus, a church would actually open its arms and support these families from across the country — yet clearly, they are not interested.”

Chris has campaigned for years alongside bereaved families, from standing outside Number 10 to City Hall. He has promoted their charities and raised awareness, hoping their voices will be heard. “These are special women, women who have had to bury their sons. Women who face challenges unbeknown to most of us — yet what are they met with? Doors closed in their faces, politicians unwilling to listen, and now churches turning them away,” he continues.

Sue Hedges, from the Ricky Hayden Memorial, told the Havering Daily: “Chris has been an incredible friend to us. He stands with us across London and supports us as we try to make our voices heard. But sadly, we know people are not interested in those who have lost a loved one to knife crime. We didn’t ask for our children to be murdered on the streets, yet they label you with a stigma. We know those in authority aren’t interested. If they meet with us, they talk and agree to work with us — but it stops there. They don’t.”

Chris, once connected to the Kray twins and known for his gangster past in East London, is now dedicated to helping others. “I want to be remembered for the work I do now, not my past,” he says. He works with countless charities and rehabilitation centres, speaking openly about knife crime and how to support families affected by it.

Now, his mission is to secure a special service at a London-based church for bereaved families. “Jesus will never turn His back on these families, and neither will I — but yet these churches do.”

Sue Hedges and April Hayden from the Ricky Hayden Memorial with Chris Lambrianou at the Table of Love event.

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