‘Save our children’

by NADEEM BADSHAH

GRIEVING PARENTS ADDRESS CAUSES OF RISING CRIME

A MUM who lost her daughter to gun crime has appealed to Asians parents to do more to protect their children and speak out against violence.

Iffat Rizvi, whose daughter Sa­bina was shot dead after being caught up in a row over a car, has called for more families to edu­cate their kids about the risks of falling into gangs.

Sabina, 25, was gunned down after being chased by two cars when she left a police station in London in 2003.

Iffat set up Sabina’s Trust Against Revolvers and Racism (STARR), which offers legal sup­port to victims’ families, follow­ing the death of her daughter.

She recently held a public event in Woolwich, south Lon­don, to discuss rising knife crime and is forming a panel to meet mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

In an interview with Eastern Eye, the mother-of-three urged the Asian community to do more to protect youngsters from harm.

“No one is standing up against crimes and murders [that take place] in Asian communities like Southall. We are crying in isola­tion, but we are not protecting future communities.

“We need to educate parents about drug abuse, domestic vio­lence…young people tell me their parents don’t want to hear about these issues.

“Families don’t want their iz­zat [honour] to be affected. For some what the community say matters more than protecting their own children.

“Parents should be checking what their kids are doing. Had I gone to the police station that night to bring my daughter home she would be here today.

“I don’t trust the institutions or police regarding my children. You own your children and are re­sponsible for making sure they are at school and get home safely.”

Iffat’s husband Pervaaiz died of cancer in 2004, shortly before Paul Asbury was jailed for life for his role in the killing of Sabina. Several others, including the man who fired the gun, have not been brought to justice.

She has worked with Asian families whose children have died, including Parveen Mahmood, whose son Kashif, 16, was stabbed in Ilford, Lon­don, in 2005. Also the parents of Haider Ali, 23, and his brother Mohammad, 24, who were stabbed during a fight between about 40 youths in Tooting, Lon­don, in 2006.

The Metropolitan Police has launched more than 60 murder investigations, with at least 39 involving knives.

Iffat, who has two sons, urged youngsters not to carry a gun or knife with them to settle feuds.

“My child is not coming back. We need to prevent our children picking up guns and knives.

“Think what you are leaving behind if you take someone’s life.

“Look at your mum, brother, sister, grandmother. I don’t want another mum in this situation, not even my worst enemy. Look back at your family before you act as you will get caught.”

The event which Iffat, a for­mer social worker, organised was attended by deputy London mayor Joanne McCartney and gun crime campaigners.

It involved debates about whether stop and search tactics are working and the impact that government cuts have had on the work of community groups.

“Asians and whites used to be fearful of going to Brixton be­cause of muggings,” Iffat added.

“We helped to bring gun crime down through outreach work, Ken Livingstone really support­ed us when he was mayor.

“Then the change of govern­ment happened. Boris Johnson [former London mayor] took funding away. Red tape was formed, there was no accounta­bility of the delivery of work.

“Cutbacks happened – what is happening now is the outcome of that.”

The Home Office has an­nounced £1 million in funding to help tackle rising knife crime. It posted adverts on social media about the dangers of knife crime.

Minister for crime, safeguard­ing and vulnerability Victoria At­kins said: “Knife crime has dev­astating consequences for fami­lies and local communities and we are determined to provide necessary support for those most at risk.”