29 September 2023 , 13:01
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I'd have been horrified by the killing of schoolgirl Eliyanne Andam if it had occurred anywhere in the country. But the 15-year-old died just a few minutes away from my house. I’ve grown up in Croydon, which in the last year has had more stabbings than any other London borough.
When I was at school my parents would always be wary about me going into the town centre, and never wanted me going alone. Even in daylight. I never really understood it. Now I do. I know people who have carried knives. Some do it because they think it’ll make them look tougher. Others do it out of fear, feeling the need to protect themselves from “opps” - opponents. There could be many reasons someone sees them as an opponent. Something a little as someone going to an opposing school or having a different postcode.
My cousin who also lived in Croydon was stabbed two years ago, but luckily survived. He was on a date with a girl when a group of guys started running after them with knives. They didn’t know my cousin, and for all I know may have confused him for someone else, but they caught him and attacked him.
Even though my cousin survived, he was left deeply traumatised, angry he was the victim of an attack, angry his attackers were never caught and are still out there.
When I was a teenager, I’d go to youth clubs, especially during the six-week summer holidays, and really got to know some of the other young people in the area. We met people from different schools and became familiar with who lived and were around us. They weren’t opponents any more. But there’s not as much funding going into the youth centres now. Many are closing down. The young people are back on the streets. In their own corners, the divisions grow again. The terrible killing of Eliyanna will make parents even more worried for their children, and no parent should have to worry if their kids will make it back home.
Living here you learn to adapt and be vigilant. You learn not to go down certain roads and the areas to stay away from to stay safe. You try not to let it all scare you because it’s your home. And then this happens and it reminds you that life outside your home really can be a horror movie, that these senseless attacks can happen to anyone.