Sabina Nessa: Family call for action on women's safety

Sabina Nessa was found near the One Space community centre in Kidbrooke

The family of Sabina Nessa, who was killed as she walked to meet a friend in south-east London, have called on the government to make communities safer for women.

The 28-year-old teacher was discovered in Cator Park, Kidbrooke, by a member of the public on 18 September.

Ahead of her funeral, Ms Nessa's family said they wanted to see "proactive steps being taken for women's safety".

The funeral service took place at East London Mosque in Whitechapel on Friday.

The East London Mosque held a funeral prayer for Sabina Nessa

In a statement, Ms Nessa's family said: "Our loss is immeasurable with the realisation that we will not see our beloved Sabina again.

"While we know that our hearts will be left with a vast void, we were uplifted to receive support from all over the country."

Calling for action, they added: "Our communities need to be made safer for women, so nothing like this can ever happen again.

"We need everyone, including the government, to work together with us on this problem. Actions speak louder than words, and we need to see proactive steps being taken for women's safety."

At the scene

Sarah Campbell, BBC News correspondent

It was an emotional sermon from Sheikh Mohammed Mahmoud OBE focussed on the impact of the loss of a child.

Members of Sabina's family and community had travelled to the East London Mosque in Whitechapel to pay tribute and remember their daughter, sister, niece and friend.

Prayers were said and then they filed outside as her coffin was placed in a hearse to take her body to its final resting place.

Seven weeks after she was killed, her family vowed to continue to fight for justice for Sabina.

Speaking outside the mosque after the funeral, Sabina's uncle Firuj Miah paid tribute to her "sadly very short life".

"She was absolutely a fun-loving individual who did extremely well, taking up the profession of teacher to contribute back to her community and society," he told the BBC.

"She was the backbone, the rock, to her family, encouraging her siblings to learn, as well as supporting her family and parents."

Her uncle said laying her body to rest after nearly two months had provided "initial closure" for the family, and "the final closure will come when we find out what happened".

Sabina's uncle Firuj Miah said the funeral had give the family "initial closure"

He added Sabina's father was proud to have received a card with a message of support for their campaign for women's safety from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

"The family are appreciative of everybody who has supported them in bringing forward the agenda where women are able to freely walk and carry on with their lives," he said.

The government has been approached for comment in response to the family's statement.

Koci Selamaj, 36, from Eastbourne in East Sussex, has been charged with Ms Nessa's murder.