A Croydon community group will hold a vigil on Sunday paying tribute to victims of violence, in the wake of the murder of a pregnant mother and death of her son.  

Last Saturday 26-year-old Kelly Mary Fauvrelle was stabbed to death in her Thornton Heath home. Four days later her son, who was delivered at the scene, died in hospital.

Croydon Says No To Knives, a community group started by three  mothers, two of whom have lost sons to knife crime, is calling on the public to join a silent vigil at Thornton Heath pond this Sunday, to pay tribute to victims of violence and show solidarity as a community.

Group founder Nichole Young, 39, said: “It’s a vigil for Croydon.

“The area is turning into somewhere we don’t recognise.

“We need to come together as neighbours and show that we’ve had enough.”

The group's other founding members, Yemi Aderemi and Lisa Smith, both lost young sons through knife crime.

Andre Aderemi, was 19 when he was chased through the Monks Hill Estate in Croydon, where he was stabbed with knives and beaten with a metal pole by a group of four teenagers.

Kelva Smith was stabbed to death by a friend in a row over a motorbike when he was just 20.

Ms Young says there is a gap in service provision which gives the community no choice but to act.

“These stabbings cause ripple effects through the whole community and there’s no one out there for the children who feel them,” she said.

“The kids are traumatised and fearful, and it’s that fear which leads to them carrying knives.

“Many have PTSD - they need help. But they’re not getting the support they need.”

Croydon Says No to Knives is part of #OperationShutdown, a wider campaign group which has staged several prominent protests across London.

In May a group of women smeared themselves with fake blood outside YouTube’s London offices in protest over the technology giant’s attitude towards removing violent content.

Later this month, as summer holidays begin, the group plans to start community patrols of its own in Croydon.

Volunteers will take to the streets to speak with young people, carrying bleed control kits in case they encounter victims of violence.

A “fast-paced” investigation has been launched into Ms Fauvrelle death, with two arrests being made.

Footage has also been released of a suspect seen running away from the Thornton Heath property around the time of the attack.

Anyone with information should contact police on 020 8721 4005 or ring 101.

The vigil takes place this Sunday at Thornton Heath pond, starting at 6pm.