COMMUNITIES must take the lead in the fight against youth violence, mourners at the funeral of Donald 'DJ' Vincent were told.

Mr Vincent, who was 20-years-old when he was stabbed to death last month, was buried at the City of London Cemetery, Manor Park, on Tuesday.

Leading the funeral service at the cemetery's chapel, Pastor Dunni Odetoyinbo said: "We see how every week someone is murdered.

"Something is happening out there and we can't keep quiet as a church. I say to mothers and fathers, let us look into this very closely - let's not leave it to the Government. There is work in our hands and there are some things we need to solve.

"Everybody is connected, and we are like a jigsaw.

"We need each other. If a piece is missing, there is no completion. You may be the missing piece. Let's come together and do something for this nation.

"Don't worry about DJ - let's worry about ourselves. No more tears and no more crying. Enough is enough. We shall not bury our children anymore."

Ms Odetoyinbo told DJ's parents to forgive their son's killers, as Jesus forgave those who put him to death.

She added that they must also forgive themselves and not dwell on anything that could have been done to avert DJ's killing.

She described DJ as a loving, compassionate boy, while Edmund Cowan, DJ's uncle and godfather, recalled him arriving in Britain five years ago.

Mr Cowan remembered the teenager as being "full of life, full of hope."

He said: "We have lost a son, but we're happy for the little time we had with him.

"Someone like DJ can never be left unremembered. It was a privilege to have shared the times we had.

"Sleep well, DJ. Rest in peace, my boy."

The service followed a procession from the Immanuel Christian Centre, in Vallentin Road, Walthamstow, where a memorial service had been held on Monday night.

DJ Vincent died of a single stab wound to the heart on September 13 after being attacked close to his home.

He was found, fatally wounded, by his mother on the doorstep of the house they shared in Crosbie House, Prospect Hill.

Four men aged between 19 and 26 have been charged with DJ's murder.