Knife crime campaign calls for emergency bleed kits to be introduced in Camden
Murder investigation yet to bring charges more than two years after teenager was killed
Wednesday, 5th November — By Tom Foot
Claudyo Jauad Lafayette
LIFE-SAVING “bleed kits” are being made available following the death of a teenager in an unsolved murder.
The mother of Claudyo Jauad Lafayette, Yzakia, said she had raised funds for the emergency kits that are set to be installed in Kilburn and Camden Town.
“If I could do something to help spare someone’s life let it be this,” she said as she joined a group of bereaved families and campaigners at the Big Knife Crime Demo outside City Hall on Saturday.
“Maybe my son would still be here if those kits were available then.”
Accessible from emergency boxes fixed to a wall, they also double as a memorial with a photo and name of the victim.
One of the bleed kits is expected to be placed close to the Crowndale Centre, and two at each end of Kilburn High Road.
Ms Jauad said: “They just install it in case of emergency. They’re trying to install them in schools, community centres, youth centres, out- side pubs and all the areas that youngsters hang around – parks and so on.
“There have been 400 already installed – but it’s not enough. Parents like me are making donations for these life-saving kits in honour of our beloved ones.”
The New Journal has reported on Ms Jauad’s calls for action and the failure to charge anyone with Claudyo’s murder.
He was just 17 when he was stabbed in Granville Road, Kilburn, just past midnight on July 15, 2023.
He had been at a ticket- ed event with friends in a community centre, but never made it home.
Detectives say no CCTV of the attack could be obtained and no wit- nesses have come forward despite a large number of people being at the event.
Five young men were arrested in connection with the attack but none have been brought to jus- tice.
“They call it ‘out on investigation’,” Ms Jauad said at the demo. “Any- thing can happen to any- one and everyone, no matter where we are, and who we are.
“I can only say that we can do better, we should be able to do better as human beings, be kind to one another
and stand together as one.” The event saw several bereaved families come together with campaign- ers, musicians and artists under the same banner.
“Claudyo had been working on a woodwork project at Crowndale Centre before the night he was killed.
A table he had helped restore was put on public display in the centre. A bench and mural also went up on the Ampthill estate where he grew up.
“Claudyo was stabbed after trying to help a friend who had been approached by other young men.
Also speaking at the demo, Claudyo’s sister Kaheylla .said: “He end- ed up in a situation he was in because he wanted to protect his friend.
“It ended up in him losing his life. But I know at the end of the day he left in a good heart, he went protecting his friend.”
The demo is organised each year by campaigner Courtney Barrett who says the government is failing to reduce deaths from knife crime.
