Family plea for extra stop and searches

The family of a 15-year-old boy stabbed to death in the street by a cycle thief wants police to be given additional stop-and-search powers.

Cherrie Ives is also demanding the maximum prison sentence for carrying a blade be raised from four to ten years after her brother, Alan Cartwright, was murdered by Joshua Williams, 18.

An Old Bailey trial heard Williams was free on police bail for possessing a four-inch lock knife when he stabbed Alan.

Williams, who was part of a group which attacked Alan Cartwright as he rode along Caledonian Road, Islington, in north London, in February, was sentenced to life – with a minimum requirement of 21 years.

Judge Rebecca Poulet QC described the crime as “gratuitous and senseless” and “motivated by acquisitive greed”.