Stab victim's family urge stiffer penalties

The family of a teenager stabbed to death over his mobile phone have demanded tougher punishments for knife crime.

Rizwan Darbar, 17, was attacked two weeks ago by a gang in West Ham Park, while out with two friends. The A-level student from Forest Gate died after being knifed in the stomach.

He was the 21st teenage murder victim in the capital this year.

As his family were preparing for his funeral today, his brother Tausif spoke out against the culture of gun and knife crime blighting London.

The 19-year-old said: "We want to stop kids getting involved in this and remove this culture where it's okay to carry a knife. My goal is to get stiffer punishments and sentences for carrying knives."

Thousands were expected to line the streets of east London today to pay their respects to the teenager whose ambition was to be a City stockbroker. He was also a volunteer participating in mentoring activities for younger people.

Tausif and his uncle Sajid were at West Ham's ground to back a campaign called Enough Is Enough aimed at stamping out knife crime in Newham. The campaign will see Newham council join forces with the Metropolitan Police and West Ham United Football Club.