THE mum of murdered student Luke Campbell wants to help the families of knife-crime victims and prevent further deaths.

Hazel Hayes – whose son was killed by three drug dealers – has also called for tougher sentences for those carrying weapons and further financial support for community centres.

Bournemouth University student Luke was stabbed by London men Larbi Mohamed, Saeed Alkadir and Delaine Brown, who are now serving life sentences.

Hazel, who moved back from Bournemouth to her native Derby following the former Murray Park Community School pupil's death, said she wanted to help prevent a similar tragedy.

She said: "After Luke died, I was very angry. I never thought I could care for anyone ever again, but now I do care.

"This is about preventing another mother from going through what I have.

"I want to help provide community-based support for youngsters, such as mentors, so they have people who understand to talk to.

"I think the economics of this are that it will cost the Government far less to invest in things like community centres than it would do to eventually send and keep people in prison.

"I'd also like to help the families of victims – things like financial help, for example.

"When Luke died, that is something I never even thought of.

"I didn't have life insurance for my 20-year-old son – why would I? I never expected to be putting my son in a coffin.

"I used to go and stay with him every day in the chapel and then I had to eventually put him in a coffin."

Luke, who lived in Belper before moving to Burton, was only at university for six weeks before he was attacked. It is thought he was stabbed in a case of mistaken identity.

He died on November 7, 2008, and his three killers were convicted last month after a trial at Winchester Crown Court.

Hazel, 52, said the tragedy of Luke's death should make it clear to people that this kind of crime can happen to anyone.

She said: "Luke was completely innocent. He was just a normal lad who liked his music and football. He wasn't involved in any gang or anything like that."

Last month, Hazel visited a Derby recording studio to listen to a group of young people creating an anti-violence album.

She said the visit to the studio, which is owned by music producer Baby J, had inspired her to start her own campaign. She believes this kind of project deserves further funding.

She said: "On the whole, young people are left to their own devices.

"We all complain about them being on the streets, but we are complaining without doing anything for them.

"There are community centres that open only until seven at night, then the kids are back out on the streets.

"There needs to be more funding to help keep them open longer."

In cases where people are caught with weapons, Hazel believes the criminal justice system should ensure sentences that act as a deterrent to others are handed down.

She said: "I think there need to be tougher sentences when people are caught with weapons and not things like probation or community service."

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