A peace walk has been organised in Luton in response to the fatal stabbing of a teenager on 24 July, with bereaved parents urging residents, local organisations and the council to take action to tackle youth violence.
The event, arranged by Fiona Namusoke — whose son Ashraf Habimana was murdered in a knife attack almost three years ago — will begin at 3pm on 9 August. Participants will gather at Marsh House and walk through Hockwell Ring before finishing at Kingsway Recreation Ground, the site where 17‑year‑old Bilal Nisar was killed on 24 July.
“We just need to make noise about what is happening because the more noise we make, maybe we’ll stop things like this happening,”
Fiona has since established a foundation in her son’s name to raise awareness of youth violence. She told organisers and supporters she wants to prevent other families suffering the same loss and urged parents to be more involved in their children’s lives — from monitoring friendships and social media to checking bedrooms if necessary.
Community response and aims of the walk
The walk is being supported by people involved with local groups including Street Fathers. Reka Prosper, who works with the charity, described the issue as a major, ongoing problem and said that improving outcomes would require a collective community response.
- Event: Peace walk to raise awareness about youth violence and knife crime
- Date and time: 9 August, starting at 3pm
- Route: Marsh House → Hockwell Ring → Kingsway Recreation Ground
- Organiser: Fiona Namusoke, founder of a foundation in memory of her son
Organisers emphasise the need for practical measures alongside public demonstration. They are calling on the council and local organisations to provide more opportunities and structured activities for young people, particularly in the school holidays when incidents are said to increase.
What organisers want from parents and the council
Speakers at community meetings have highlighted several practical steps they believe could help reduce youth violence. These include greater parental oversight, more accessible youth services during holidays and stronger local mentorship networks so young people have positive role models.
| Concern | Suggested action |
|---|---|
| Youth boredom during holidays | More funded activities and community programmes |
| Lack of parental engagement | Advice and support for parents to monitor social media and friendships |
| Absence of local mentors | Recruit volunteers and organisations to provide mentorship |
Those planning to attend the walk are being encouraged to arrive early and to respect public-health guidance where applicable. The organisers hope the demonstration will be peaceful and draw attention to the need for sustained, community-wide action to stop knife crime.
The planned walk follows a string of high-profile incidents across the country that have prompted debates about policing, youth services and social support. In Luton, the organisers say a more active partnership between families, community groups and the council is essential to prevent further tragedies.
Further details about the event and any updates are expected to be shared by the foundation and supporting groups in the coming days.
