Alan Cartwright

THE father of a teenager stabbed to death during an attempt to steal his bike said last night (Thursday) that he had kept his son’s bedroom exactly as it was for ten years.

Friends and family of 15-year-old Alan Cartwright gathered outside the Cally Pool to mark the decade anniversary of his tragic death.

They had warnings that knife crime was still not under control in London and later today hundreds of cyclists will ride through Islington to commemorate Alan and other victims and to demand more action.

Reflecting on the 10 years that have passed since his son died in Caledonian Road, Alan’s father, Alan Cartwright Senior, told the Tribune: “He was just a lovely kid and I miss him so much. It doesn’t get any easier.”

Flowers were laid and lanterns were lit with echoes of the shrine that mounted at the same spot in February 2015.

Alan Cartwright Senior in Caledonian Road last night (Thursday)

In their own unique tribute, bikers revved their engines for Alan and smoke and mist ­surrounded the candles.

This evening (Friday) pedal cyclists from three groups have organised a ride which will stop in Caledonian Road and then move on to the spot on Holloway Road near where 21-year-old Mohamed Abdi Noor, known as Blanco, died after being stabbed in December 2023.

BikeStormz, Fixed Pirates Crew and Critical Mass London said in a statement: “After these stops, we would like to ride to Regent’s Park Outer Circle, in solidarity with the cyclists who have recently had their bikes taken from them there at knife point.

Engines are revved last night (Thursday) at Alan Cartwright’s memorial

“No other families and friends should have to experience the same trauma as Alan and Blanco’s.”

The original Caledonian Road shrine of flowers, mementos and football shirts to “Little Al” was moved to his father’s garden and remains untouched.

Alan’s mother, Michelle Ives, told the Tribune this week: “He’s cheeky. He was just a funny kid. No one’s got a bad word to say about him.”

She told how Alan always loved bikes and he even built them himself.

Both of his parents felt knife crime has only got worse in the years since their son’s death.

Ms Ives said: “I don’t think anything is going to stop the kids. If they’re going to carry knives, they’re going to carry them.

Flowers and number plate tributes to remember the 15-year-old

“Years ago, you never used to hear of anyone being stabbed – now it’s an everyday thing.

“They’re talking about banning the sale of knives online, but you can walk into your own kitchen and pick up a knife. I don’t think things are going to change.”

The original shrine is in Mr Cartwright’s garden

Mandatory five-year prison sentences for carrying a knife could cut violence dramatically, said Mr Cartwright Snr, pointing to evidence from his native Scotland where it has been suggested increased sentencing has contributed to a decline in knife crime.

He added: “You can never get away from it – you put the television on and the news is on and it just brings it all back because you see another kid getting stabbed and you just think, another family’s going through that.”

Cyclists will also pay tribute to Mohammed Abdi Noor with a stop near Holloway Road later

Three teenagers were charged over the attempted bike robbery, with one of them convicted of murder at the Old Bailey.

Alan’s death was one of the catalysts for the founding of BikeStormz, a community of bikers under the slogan “Bikes up, knives down”, who encourage young people to choose cycling over crime and will be riding en masse through Islington tonight.

Mr Abdi Noor, who also loved bikes and rode with the Fixed Pirates Crew, will also be remembered.

Riders will meet outside the BFI on the South Bank at 7pm.