The mother of a teenager who was stabbed to death in Sidcup in 2008 has spoken about how she and her family are commemorating him ten years on.

Rob Knox was just 18 when he was killed outside the Metro Bar in Sidcup on May 24. He was stepping in to protect his brother, Jamie, who was being intimidated by two men with knives.

In March 2009, Karl Norman Bishop, from Sidcup, was sentenced to life in prison for Rob’s murder.

Sally Knox, Rob’s mother, has campaigned to combat knife crime on London’s streets for the last ten years, giving talks to young people and running events.

She told News Shopper the family still has a hard time dealing with Rob’s murder.

“It’s still as difficult now as it was then,” she said.

She added that, as Rob’s friends reach the age where they are having children, it makes her think of him more.

An aspiring actor before his death, Rob appeared in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince as a student at Hogwarts.

Now the family organises an annual film festival in honour of their son. Hosted by his brother Jamie, who is also in the entertainment industry, the Rob Knox Film Festival showcases short films submitted by filmmakers from all over.

This year’s festival, on June 6 at Bexleyheath Cineworld, will be attended by Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick.

After a sharp rise in knife and gun violence since the beginning of 2018 raised concerns about the safety of young people on the streets of London, Ms Dick announced the Met would put in place a plan to crack down on violent crime.

Mrs Knox said: “It’s difficult for us. We work so hard and find that knife crime is on the rise. I just don’t understand.”

She added she would like to see tougher sentences for crimes of this nature, but sees the importance of engaging young people.

With funding from Kent Police, a Rob Knox film academy has been set up to encourage young filmmakers to make films which highlight community issues.

“It’s about getting young people off the streets give them something to do. A lot of facilities for young people have closed down now,” she said.

In her own campaigning, Mrs Knox often visits schools – and has also been to young offenders’ homes – to talk about the impact of knife violence.

“I take the story of how Rob died and use it as an example.

“I have had some fantastic feedback. I have had kids come up to me and tell me they no longer go out with a certain friend anymore because they carry a knife.”

Rob’s family want to use this year’s film festival to mark the tenth anniversary of his death.

At a more private event, Mrs Knox has organised a gathering of Rob’s friends which she hopes will be a nice commemoration.

“It will be nice for all of them to get together again after all this time.”