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Robert Antonio Levy, aged 16 years was murdered a few yards from his home in Hackney whilst trying to prevent a fight. Robert had a kind and considerate nature, because of this he was always thinking of others. On the 16th September 2004, Robert went to the aid of a younger boy who was being threatened by a schoolboy with a knife. Robert suffered multiple stab wounds at the hands of the 15-year-old schoolboy. Attempts were made to save his life but tragically he died.
Robert had just completed his GCSE's and had started his A-levels. He was a bright young man who had a whole life ahead of him with a desire to fulfil all of his dreams and ambitions, mainly to become an architect. His life was taken by another youth who felt the need to carry a knife without thinking of the consequences.
As can clearly be seen in the media, knife crime is still prevalent within our society and a comprehensive approach should be taken by national and local government along with the local community in general to tackle these issues. Over the past five years thankfully the number of fatal knife incidences have reduced. This is of no comfort to any parent who has lost a child even during the decline. Our community should not become complacent and must continue to demand more to be done to prevent even one member of our community becoming a victim of gun or knife crime. We should not only demand more to be done but we must ensure we as individuals play our part in halting the tide of violence that could so easily become the accepted norm.
The bravery of their son has inspired Ian and Patricia Levy to create the Robert Levy Foundation so that the issues surrounding knife crime are highlighted and brought to the attention of everyone. They hope that through events and by working within the community, young people can be encouraged to find appropriate ways to become better citizens, thus preventing further loss of life.
The philosophy of the Foundation centres around the core principles of a good community and education. One in which everyone is responsible for bringing up every child in our community. All young people in the community have the absolute right to be protected and the responsibilities which must accompany their rights must be made clear to them. Without this we will continue to build a community where everyone has rights but no responsibility to each other or to the community in which they live. Education is central to the foundation and the work we do. It is only through education that our young people can be confident of being able to have a future in which they can be proud of who they are and are in a position in which they can fulfil their life’s ambitions.
If you would like to support the Foundation with a donation, please click on the following link
www.justgiving.com/robertlevyfoundation/donate
The Family would like:
- The appropriate authorities take the necessary steps to ensure that what happened to their son does not happen to any other
person – those issues and threats are identified either within or outside the educational system, that steps are taken to ensure that a holistic approach is maintained for the safety of all children.
- The private sector and other organisations help to provide alternatives for the young people in the community, either in terms of mentoring, work experience or other means. This is one way they can invest in their company’s future with the view that the young people of today are the employees of the future.
- Appropriate strategies and contingencies are put in place for immediate response to matters concerning child welfare and when such matters arise they are given appropriate attention. It is inappropriate and unprofessional to have to wait for such long periods to get answers to very basic questions.
- More work is done to monitor and prevent the use of knives, guns and other offensive weapons in our community with a view to totally eradicate them from being in the hands of our children, our schools and on our streets.
- Every individual employed by the local authorities to look after the welfare of children and young people, in what ever capacity, must truly have their interest at heart and ensure the position they hold is not just a stepping stone used to further their own career while people they serve are left neglected.
- Every parent in the community should be a parent to every child in the community. Everyone should take on their responsibility to work meaningfully to rid our streets of violent crimes.
- Government and the local council work to ensure that the senior management positions accurately reflect the community that it serves (especially in our schools).
The London Borough of Hackney is one of 12 inner-London boroughs, and faces a number of challenges including
poverty and unemployment.
Young people and children under the age of 18 make up a quarter of the population in Hackney, and are over-represented in the borough both as perpetrators and victims of crime.
Hackney is a vibrant and lively borough, with a high degree of strength and determination within its diverse communities. The social and economic regeneration currently taking place is central to reducing crime and disorder.
By working with young people, supporting them in engaging in positive activities, training or employment the foundation hopes to assist in creating a more positive name for Hackney. Knife and gun crime still remains to be an increasing issue within the borough, so it is be crucial to work with partner agencies to achieve our common aims which must be to see a massive reduction and if at all possible a total eradication of youth crime in our community.
In recent years the number has thankfully gone down, however the need for everyone to continue on the path of educating our young people of the damage such crime causes us all is essential if we are to get to a point where carrying a weapon is totally unacceptable.
Hackney is one of the most diverse boroughs in the London areas. This rich diversity is one of the key elements that makes it one of the best places to live. This is evidenced by the number of affluent people who are now choosing Hackney as their home. This adds to the richness this borough has to offer.
The Borough has been associated with the arts since the fifteen hundreds and continues to be so with one of the oldest theatres in London the Hackney Empire which opened in 1901.
Hackney is steeped in history from Sutton House to the site of the now Bsix college which was once the site of a royal palace.
Take some time to explore your borough you may be surprised at what you find out.