Lewis Elwin: Family stage anti-knife crime protest at Tooting funeral procession

Family and friends of a student who was stabbed to death in south London held up powerful placards against knife crime during his funeral procession today.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan joined the mourners who had walked along Penwortham Road, where 20-year-old Lewis Elwin was killed.

The trainee electrician was knifed in the back by a gang in front of horrified parents picking up their children from school in April.

Walking behind the funeral procession today, scores of people wore t-shirts bearing Mr Elwin’s name and picture, carrying placards with messages including “United against knives and guns”.

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, who was elected Tooting MP in the early hours of this morning, also joined the protest.

Mr Elwin’s older brother Byron Douglas-Letts said: “Lewis was loved by so many people.

“This is what needs to happen as a community.

“Youths need to be given something to do, give them something to be passionate about and a job they can be passionate about.”

The 31-year-old added: “Lewis was very, very determined and aspirational. He was a loving, caring guy.

“Sometimes he made wrong decisions but that doesn’t mean he should lose his life.”

Mr Elwin’s coffin was carried to St Boniface Church in a white horse-drawn carriage covered in flowers.

Floral tributes, photographs and messages carpeted the pavement where he died on April 18.

Family friend Nina Petrie said: “Young people please put down your guns, please put down your knives. Life is for living.

“Gangs are not your family. Gangs are prison and death.”

Another friend Noel Williams said: “I think it’s important to remember Lewis for his inspirations and where he wanted to go in life.

“He was a young man trying to change himself for the better.”

Today, police released a CCTV image of a silver Peugeot 307 which was seen driving in the area around the time of Mr Elwin’s death.

The car, with the licence plate KP03 ZTD, was later found abandoned and burnt out in Putney Park Lane.

Two 19-year-olds arrested in May over the murder have been bailed pending further inquiries.