The mother of a teenager stabbed to death in Kingston last year has joined other bereaved parents in an effort to tackle knife crime in the capital.

Becky Beston, whose son Archie was fatally stabbed on Clarence Street in Kingston in February 2020, was one of five mothers who shared their heart-rending stories of the impact of knife crime in London.

The campaign hopes to encourage people to make anonymous calls to the independent Crimestoppers charity if they have information regarding knife crime in order to help prevent more lives being lost in fatal stabbings.

During a short video clip published by the Metropolitan Police, Becky described the trauma she experienced in the aftermath of Archie's death.

"I had to call a complete stranger about getting Archie embalmed," she said.

Surrey Comet: Lillian Serunkuma, Yvonne Lawson MBE, Jean Foster, Pastor Lorraine Jones and Becky Beston. Image: Met PoliceLillian Serunkuma, Yvonne Lawson MBE, Jean Foster, Pastor Lorraine Jones and Becky Beston. Image: Met Police

"You should never have to use those words with your son's name. Ever.

"If somebody would have made that phone call, my Arch would be here now."

Becky and many supporters have led a parallel campaign in Kingston and across London calling for tougher sentences for those who use knives in the capital.

She previously spoke with the Surrey Comet ahead of the sentencing of Tyron Bryan, 20, who was found guilty of Archie's murder and later sentenced to 19 years in jail.

"I was 19 when I had Archie and we share everything together. Now I’m 39 and my age is my enemy because it’s even longer till I get to be with him...

"Even now, I’m making a flask of tea and biscuit for him... I can’t sleep. I just don’t get a rest. It’s completely destroyed us all. It’s taken away everything. My whole world has stopped."

Other mothers involved in the London-wide campaign include Yvonne Lawson MBE, who also described her pain on losing her 17-year-old son Godwin who was fatally stabbed in 2010.

"I rang my sister and said I’ve just been told Godwin has died. I just kept repeating ‘died, died, died.’ Godwin was stolen away from us in such a terrible way.

"My family is broken into pieces, just missing him. We didn't even get a chance to say goodbye, and he's never going to be there, he's never going to be part of us anymore. The least we can do is use his memory to change lives," she said.

Mick Duthie, Director of Operations at Crimestoppers, added: “Hearing the mums speak in such an honest, frank and heartfelt way about losing a son to knife crime is incredibly humbling. I truly admire their courage and determination to warn others in their own words about the danger of not speaking up.

“Every day our charity hears from people who often feel they have nowhere else to turn.

"I’d like to add...that everyone who contacts Crimestoppers is guaranteed to stay completely anonymous.

"We’ve always kept our promise since we began back in the 1980s. By working together, we can help make our communities safer and reduce the harm, pain and suffering caused by knife crime."

Click here for more information. Contact Crimestoppers here.