On Mon 10th Dec, 100 people gathered from PEACH, Shipman Youth Zone and Royal Docks Community School to hold a memorial for Bob Litambola (an ex Royal Docks student who was murdered in Custom House in 2007.
The attenders subsequently held a CitySafe Walk to launch nine CitySafe Havens in and around Prince Regent Lane, all dedicated to Bob’s memory.
The event began at Royal Docks Community School, with the presentation of a memorial bench that Eddy Litambola (Bob’s little brother) and his friends had fundraised for through performances and non-school uniform days. Students, staff and family paid tribute to Bob and held a minute’s silence to reflect on his memory. Jackie Litambola, founding member of PEACH and Bob’s mother told those gathered that “Bob was courageous and he wanted everything to work. He always came with ideas, and he put them into action. That’s what was special about Bob. My favourite memory is that he was always fighting for me. He always said ‘I will look after my mum, whatever it takes.’ He had a beautiful soul.”
Following the memorial, the launch of nine CitySafe Havens on Prince Regent’s lane took place as part of Bob’s legacy. PEACH, Shipman Youth Zone and Royal Docks School have been working together over the past year to bring the CitySafe campaign to Custom House. Members of the community, together with students, staff and local councillors visited each shopkeeper/business owner/building manager in turn to put the CitySafe sticker in the window, shake hands, and cut a ribbon, declaring every CitySafe Haven open. Afterwards, a reception was held at Shipman Youth Zone.
CitySafe is a community-led campaign started by Citizens UK to make London’s streets safer. CitySafe Havens are places of safety for people in immediate danger or feeling threatened. Each CitySafe Haven displays a purple CitySafe logo in its window, and members of the public can seek help and safety in these Havens. Nine buildings have signed up to be CitySafe Havens so far in the Prince Regent Lane area, making it the first CitySafe Zone in Custom House.
Jackie spoke about what this community action and memorial meant for her, saying that “After Bob passed, I was like a dead person. But now I’m still standing and I’m healing. Why? Because through being part of PEACH and CitySafe, I realised that it’s good that I’m still here. All these people who want to help are the guardian angels. It makes me feel strong and it gives me that courage to help people. I know that his spirit is in action today.”
Bradley Fields, a leader of the CitySafe campaign at Shipman said “We are involved in CitySafe to bring our community together and rebuild relationships. We want to change the stigma attached to young people and Custom House. Today, we united young people and took action for a good cause. We are showing passion and commitment to our area.”
Leon Fields, another young leader at Shipman said “It was wonderful seeing everything come together today. We have stuck with it and we are really proud of it. I’d like to say a big thank you to Shipman and PEACH for the work they’ve done. They’ve pushed me and my peers to make this happen.”
The Royal Docks Community School’s Head Teacher, Wendy Bower, said: “Our school is proud of its students and the role that they are playing in building an ever-stronger community. Communities are happiest and safest when families, schools, shopkeepers, local organisations and police work together in schemes like ‘CitySafe’. There are so many positive changes coming to the Royal Docks area, in terms of investment, and infrastructure and this goes hand in hand with our young people acting as ambassadors for themselves and their community in maintaining Custom House as a welcoming and good place. This plays an important part in realising our school’s vision.”
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