Knife crime 'decimating society', says victim's mother

Isschan Nicholls died two days after being attacked

The mother of an 18-year-old who was stabbed to death is taking part in a knife crime awareness event in her son's memory.

Jennifer Williams, whose son Isschan Nicholls died in January, said knife crime was "decimating our society".

She will be joined by Barry Mizen, whose 16-year-old son Jimmy was murdered in 2008, at a variety show to raise funds for Victim Support.

No-one has been charged over Mr Nicholls death, police said.

Mr Nicholls, from Poplar, east London, was seriously hurt in a street brawl in Bow, east London, involving up to 15 people on 13 January, and died in hospital two days later from stab wounds to his abdomen and thigh.

Sixteen people have been arrested in connection with the murder inquiry. Four teenagers are on bail pending further inquires, the rest have been released with out charge.

Ms Nicholls said: "This event will raise awareness of knife crime - an issue that is decimating our society and making it unsafe for our children to walk the streets

"The kids themselves can change all of that, and this event will be an opportunity to get that message across.

"I can think of no better way to celebrate Isschan's life."

Owen Sharp, Victim Support's interim chief executive, said: "Often people who carry knives don't think of the consequences and the emotional and physical harm they can cause."

MTV Base's Kat B, who is hosting the event in east London, added: "Young people who use knives need to stop robbing people of their futures and think about the damage caused by their actions."