France: They were there yesterday (Wed) for a renewed appeal to try and find witnesses, or anyone with information, who would be willing to speak to them about what happened. Sadly it’s not the first time, and won’t be the last, that officers have been met with a wall of silence when trying to solve a murder or serious crime. Detectives have stressed any information provided will be treated with the “strictest of confidence and sensitivity”. But an ingrained lack of trust in the police, coupled with fear of reprisals for speaking out, makes it a tough ask. Obviously people do decide to do the right thing, as Abraham did 10 years ago, and he was rightly given a police bravery award for his actions. But having watched believed witnesses to an Islington murder take the stand at an inquest this year and deny any knowledge to an increasingly-frustrated coroner – as well as a grieving mother – it is clear police have their work cut out when trying to get people to talk. Detectives believe the answers to Abraham’s murder lie in the community. Ultimately, it is the police’s job to earn the trust of that community and get those answers. Families can do their bit too, and projects like The Charlie Burns Foundation’s Postcode Parents will only help. It’s good to see Rebecca Luisis and Keeley Burns have been given funding to renew their grassroots project, which not only helps grieving parents but also hosts workshops and talks offering support to those who fear their children may be involved, or on the cusp of being involved, in crime.

Police were this week back at the scene of Abraham Badru’s murder in Dalston, one month on from his shooting.