Two dead in two weeks sees grassroots organisations call for support to tackle youth violence

A young man and a boy have died from stab wounds in the past two weeks, resulting in a call to action from grassroots organisations.

Dontae McLaren, 24, died in the early hours of Sunday morning after police were called to reports of a large group fighting with knives in Wandsworth Road, Clapham.

Just one week earlier, Daejaun Campbell, 15, died in Eglinton Road, Woolwich, after being stabbed in the leg.

Mark Rodney, founder of Project Lifeline – a family-run organisation that works with young people affected by violence across South London – said: “What’s being done to tackle violence isn’t working, and it won’t work unless people come together to understand it.”

In a statement last week, Daejaun’s mother thanked Project Lifeline for working closely with her son before his death, to help him develop a better future.

The service, which launched in October last year, runs from the Croydon Voluntary Action Centre and is built on years of youth work, running through the family for generations.

Mr Rodney said: “Our historical presence in these areas means we have built trust.”

The Met has said tackling youth violence is a priority for the force, and it is committed to working with communities and other agencies across London.

But Mr Rodney said a major challenge facing the police and other authorities is a lack of trust, which prevents vulnerable people from reaching out for support.

He said: “We are an independent body which can bridge that gap.”

Project Lifeline works with families, individuals and partner organisations, including the London Mayor’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU).

The VRU – expanded in May with a £14.5million package of funding –  takes a community-led approach to tackling violence in 11 of the most affected neighbourhoods.

Mr Rodney described the unit as “the best one out there”, and praised its support of Project Lifeline, but said it still needed more help.

He said: “There have to be proactive measures in place, to respond fast when a young person is being exploited or in danger and move them out of an area if necessary – that’s what saves lives.

“For that we need funding and resources and collaboration from all sides.”

The organisation also runs initiatives which tackle violence against women and girls, a gang exit programme and a music programme which offers opportunities for young people.

Causes of youth violence include the steady decline of youth clubs and safe spaces, Mr Rodney said. Across London more than 750 youth centres have closed since 2010, according to the Local Government Association (LGA).

But he said the driving force behind violence was fear.

He said: “Every child we work with wants to get out, none of them want to live like this.

“Kids are watching the news and it’s all about ‘knife crime’ and young people dying. That causes fear and young people don’t have access to services that help them deal with that.

“Many of them pick up a knife to defend themselves.

“Authorities can only start to tackle violence when that fear is understood.”

Mr Rodney said there must also be more focus on the challenges facing the organisations trying to help young people, with funding often failing to reach grassroots groups.

He said: “We’re asking for help, we need funding and trained volunteers. No single organisation can stop violence alone, we need to work together.”

To find out more about Project Lifeline, Click Here. For their confidential emergency helpline, call 0800 111 4042.

• On Tuesday, a 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murdering Dontae and remains in custody. Another man, aged 24, was arrested on Sunday for the same offence and has been released on bail.

Marko Balaz, 18, of Sewell Road, Abbey Wood, a 17-year-old boy – who cannot be named for legal reasons –  and  Jacob Losiewicz, 18, of Church Manor Way, Abbey Wood, have been charged with murdering Daejuan. All three have appeared in court and a trial date has been set for the Old Bailey on June 9, 2025.

Police continue to appeal for information into both incidents.

Pictured top: From left, Project Lifeline members Lo and Kay with Daejaun Campbell’s mother Jodie Taylor and Project Lifeline founder Mark Rodney  (Picture: Project Lifeline)