Adam Henry was attacked in Westbourne Road in December

A MOTHER whose teenage son was fatally stabbed in broad daylight has called for CCTV cameras to be installed at the spot where he was killed as a deterrent against further crime.

Nicola Henry’s son Adam was attacked in Westbourne Road in December 2025, and died in hospital shortly afterwards.

The former St Mary Magdalene’s student is remembered by friends and family as “thoughtful and curious, with a fantastic sense of humour”, and his killing sent shockwaves through the community around Caledonian Road, where there had not been a murder for half a decade.

Speaking publicly for the first time, Ms Henry told the Tribune how losing her 15-year-old had made her whole world “fall apart”, and called on the Town Hall to do more to make teenagers safe on the streets.

Nicola Henry told the Tribune how losing her 15-year-old son had made her whole world ‘fall apart’ – and called on the Town Hall to do more to make teenagers safe on the streets

This includes installing CCTV cameras near the Westbourne Estate play area where Adam died. Another young man – Imani Allaway-Muir – was shot dead at almost exactly the same spot six years earlier.

“My core message is that if CCTV can help prevent even one more family going through this type of nightmare, then it matters,” said Ms Henry. “If there was an accident on the same zebra crossing you would think that someone would do something about it. CCTV would be a deterrent, but it would also help in providing evidence. It’s not about surveillance, I think CCTV is a small price to pay for the security that it can give to a community.”

Ms Henry told the Tribune how a knock on the door on a Tuesday afternoon in December had made her “whole life just fall apart”. She said: “I ran towards a horrific moment, the worst moment anybody can ever experience, something that no parent should ever have to face.”

The mum-of-four recalled how Adam had enjoyed skateboarding, performing magic tricks, and solving the Rubik’s cube. He would coach younger children in Arundel Square or in Cantelowes Skatepark, and perform his card tricks for audiences at the poolside when the family were on holiday in Spain.

Ms Henry added: “We were always very close, he would talk to me about everything. I miss him coming into my room and plonking himself on my bed and telling me all about his day.”

Former St Mary Magdalene’s student Adam Henry is remembered by friends and family as ‘thoughtful and curious, with a fantastic sense of humour’

Parents across the borough tell the Tribune consistently that they do not feel that their children are safe walking to and from school, and this fear is fuelled every time a teenager’s life is tragically cut short.

“I was happy when they were playing video games because I thought at least they’ll be home and they’ll be safe,” said Ms Henry

“I made sure I knew all the boys’ friends and their families, I backed Adam with all his passions, I wanted to support him and make sure he had access to everything, to help him keep busy. But you can’t wrap them up and keep them locked up inside. This is something that shouldn’t have happened.”

Every time there is a stabbing in Islington, we hear the familiar calls by campaigners that this is the time to invest more in youth centres, in boxing clubs, more police on the streets. They are the same arguments that have been made since 16-year-old Ben Kinsella was killed in 2008.

Ms Henry said: “It’s a cliché, we’ve almost become desensitised to the whole thing. We’ve just heard the same things around and around and again and again. It’s frustrating because people know what the answers are but why isn’t it happening?

“This isn’t just about Adam, it’s about all the children in our community. They deserve to feel safe.”

An Islington Council spokesperson said: “Following the tragic murder of Adam Henry in December last year, we have been working closely with residents on the Westbourne Estate alongside the police and council colleagues across housing, estates and community safety. This has included regular engagement with local people, work to improve the estate environment, and measures to address safety concerns raised by residents.”

They added: “As part of this work, an environmental audit was undertaken which has led to the decision to install CCTV cameras.

“While temporary CCTV is normally installed for six months, in this case it will remain in place for 12 months, after which it will be reviewed in light of ongoing safety concerns and feedback from the community.”