The family of Olamide Fasina, who was stabbed to death by an armed gang, say they forgive his killers and want the 25-year-old's murder to bring "change" to Thamesmead.

Mr Fasina, known to friends as Ben or Trigger, was chased by a group of men and stabbed in the heart during a brutal daylight attack near Wolvercote Road on October 14.

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A week after the tragedy, family, friends and well-wishers including local MP Teresa Pearce, gathered at the estate for a candlelit vigil and prayers.

Mr Fasina's uncle Gori Olusina Daniel, 38, explained: "What we're hoping is Olamide's death, sad as it is, will be the start of change in Thamesmead.

"That's why we've taken this campaign online. We'll not keep quiet until these boys are apprehended and change comes to that estate."

Since the murder, residents have contacted News Shopper to complain that they feel unsafe on the estate's streets. And Mr Daniel, who grew up on a Lewisham council estate, said he was shocked by what he saw in Thamesmead.

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He said: "How does it happen in an estate that vast there are no CCTV cameras? There's a sense you can get away with anything. 

"There's no lighting either. Dark things can happen in that space."

The family are hoping Mr Fasina's death will lead to improvements in safety, community projects and help for struggling single parent families.

Mr Daniel, who has written a powerful blog on the murder, said: "We're committed to seeing change happen because we've been so deeply hurt by this and this is to ensure others don't go through it."

He said: "We are angry but we're not angry at these young men and that's really because we understand that they're victims themselves. But we are angry that Ben had to be involved in this way."

Mr Daniel went on: "We have no choice but to forgive them. Not to forgive them would put us in a position where we've got no peace.

"These guys have been caught up in this and for some reason think this is an acceptable way to live. They feel they won't get caught."

Despite police appeals, nobody has been charged with the murder, although a 22-year-old man has been arrested and bailed.

Appealing for people to come forward, Mr Daniel said: "The message is very clear. These guys did this because they felt that no one's going to say anything, that people will protect them.

"The human spirit needs the distinction between right and wrong and the human spirit needs knows it's wrong to keep silent and protect these young men.

"Otherwise it will perpetuate the situation where these men will act again or people will act against them so we have a circle of violence."

A spokesman for the Peabody Trust, which runs Thamesmead, said: "There is extensive CCTV in south Thamesmead and all relevant footage has been provided to the police. Hopefully this will help to identify the perpetrators of this horrendous crime. 

"We’re working closely with the police, our local authority partners and others, to address residents' concerns about safety. This includes better lighting, landscaping and improvements to the built environment. Our neighbourhood teams are working hard to support residents and the local community at this difficult time."

Anyone with information should call police on 020 8721 4868, dial 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police will be holding a meeting with the local community on Saturday (October 25) from 4pm to 7pm at The Atrium, Teeswater Court.