My gentle headmaster was stabbed to death for protecting a pupil. 20 years on, we've learned so very little

I remember being told not to walk across the estate by one of my friends, “or else you’ll end up getting shot”, when I was at Mr Lawrence's school. Nowadays, people tell me they're afraid to stay in London

In 2013, the Metropolitan Police reported 259 violent youth gangs and 4,800 gang members operating across 19 London boroughs (Getty Images)

Philip Lawrence was my former headmaster at St George's School in Maida Vale – and today is the 20th anniversary of his death. He was an approachable, informal person with a true ‘open door’ policy, who agreed to let me set up a school radio station during my time as a student. In fact, he was instrumental in helping me to forge my broadcast career.

Twenty years ago today, Mr Lawrence tried to save a 13 year old pupil from getting attacked by a local gang which modelled itself on the Chinese Triads. In the ensuing struggle, he was stabbed outside the school beside a red telephone box, and staggered back to the school for help. Paramedics arrived at the scene, but he couldn’t be saved.

As a pupil at St George’s School, I had heard of triad gangs but didn't take the idea of them seriously. During minor disagreements on the playgrounds, some people mentioned bringing their triad friends down to settle an issue, but this was usually said in a humorous manner – and never taken seriously.

The perception of my local friends, however, was that certain parts of Kilburn, Queen's Park, Mozart Estate and Maida Vale were typical ‘problem areas’. There were known gang activities, but small scale. The only gang I was aware of at the time were based in Stockwell and Brixton, a long way away from our area.

As our time at school progressed, however, my friends and I were told of issues near Mozart Estate and Stonebridge Park. I remember being told not to walk across the estate by one of my friends, “or else you’ll end up getting shot”. But we didn’t know the problem had escalated to the point that it had until Mr Lawrence was killed.

I wish I could say that I believe knife culture has been tackled since Mr Lawrence’s death, but when I look at the reality, I feel pessimistic. Anne Maguire was attacked by a pupil in her classroom in Leeds in 2014. Supply teacher Victor Uzomah was stabbed in the stomach this year in Bradford. These incidents have highlighted more needs to be done to combat knife crime at schools. It feels as though the epidemic has spread across the UK.

St George's School is sandwiched between multi-million pound properties and social housing. That reflects the ethos and vibe of the school: it never did confine itself to one class, background or status, but was inclusive. Mr Lawrence’s wish for everyone to be given a chance to excel has continued.

Unfortunately, so has knife crime. I speak to friends and former classmates today who say that they don’t feel safe in London any more because of its scale. The recent stabbing in Leytonstone speaks volumes about how easy it is to get mixed up in such incidents, whoever you are and whatever your motives.

Mr Lawrence was a victim of this culture – one who stood against it, and attempted to protect a young pupil from what was going on in our streets. As London mourns another stabbing this week, we should remember that this fight has been going on a long time. We can’t afford to lose any more peaceful people in the name of violence.