Sabina Nessa killing: Sadiq Khan says ‘women and girls in London deserve to feel safe’

Sadiq Khan has said that “women and girls in London deserve to feel safe” following the death of teacher Sabina Nessa - who was killed in a park while walking home.

Police believe the 28-year-old was attacked at 8.30pm on Friday, but her body wasn’t found until 5.30pm on Saturday by a dog walker.

Ms Nessa, who lived in Lewisham, was discovered near the One Space community centre on Kidbrooke Park Road, Greenwich, south east London.

It has reignited the discussion around women’s safety in the capital, just over six months after Sarah Everard’s killing in Clapham.

The Mayor of London issued a statement about the death, saying that he remained committed to making the capital safer for women and girls.

Mr Khan said: “I am heartbroken by the death of Sabina Nessa, a young woman who had a bright future ahead of her.

“My thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and the whole community who are devastated by her death.

“The perpetrator of this despicable crime must be caught and brought to justice which is why I want to encourage anyone who may have been in the park around the time of the incident, and may have relevant information, to contact the police.

“Any information you can share will be vital in supporting the investigation.

“Women and girls in London deserve to feel safe at all times, in every part of our city and as Mayor, I remain committed to making our city safer for them.

“The local community can expect to see highly visible police patrols across the boroughs of Lewisham and Greenwich as the Met Police do everything they can to keep people safe.”

City Hall said it had invested £60.7million to tackle violence against women and girls, which includes specialist support services and police response.

There will be a vigil on Friday at 7pm to honour Ms Nessa’s memory.

Her cousin, Zubel Ahmed, said her family was “inconsolable”.

He told ITV: “The shock has not sunk in.

“She was a beautiful, kind, caring soul.

“I express my deepest sympathies for her sisters, mum and dad are absolutely devastated.

“Nothing is making sense to us, why was she taken from us we just don't know."

“She was the sweetest person, sweetest girl, I don't understand how someone can do this it's a big loss to our family.”

Ms Nessa was a teacher at nearby Rushey Green Primary School, in Lewisham.

Headteacher Lisa Williams said: “We are devastated by Sabina’s tragic death.

“She was kind, caring and absolutely dedicated to her pupils.

“She had so much life ahead of her and so much more to give and her loss is desperately sad.”

The cause of death remains unknown after a post-mortem proved inconclusive.

Friends, fighting back tears, laid flowers in front of the green where her body was found on Saturday afternoon.

One reads: “Dear Sabina I miss you so very much.

“RIP my beautiful friend”, with the drawing of a heart.

Forensics were seen combing the grass and bushes surrounding the centre, near the five aside football field and skatepark on Tuesday.