The two daughters of a beloved grandfather who was murdered in a London park in a random and unprovoked attack have called for a comprehensive review into the handling of his killer by police and care services, saying: “We believe there to be critical failings that allowed this to happen”.
Mark Carroll, 55, was killed in April 2024 when Rasheed Rahman signed out a knife from his supported living accommodation and used it to stab Mr Carroll in the back as he walked in St Martin’s Gardens, Camden with a friend.
Rahman, who was then aged 19, was sentenced to life in prison last week for the murder. He was also sentenced for a previous stabbing attack on another member of the public in Romford months before, as well as a series of public order offences in the days leading up to the attack on Mr Carroll.
Ayisha Carroll and Danielle Morley, his two daughters, are also fundraising for a headstone to remember their dad, who they described as a “beloved father, grandfather, and friend of many”.
Ms Carroll, who is self-employed as an ecologist, has been struggling with her mental health since losing her father in such a shocking way and said she is saving every spare penny to fund his gravestone.
In an appeal for help, the daughters said: “We both tried to save. We both tried to cope. We both tried to manage the trauma. But the truth is: we can’t do this alone.”
In a statement shared with The Independent following Rahman’s sentencing, Ayisha Carroll and Danielle Morley, who is a mum of three, thanked the lawyers, judge and police who had helped deliver justice, adding: “While our family is relieved by the sentence passed, it does not bring our dad back. This was an unprovoked attack on a completely innocent, dearly loved man.”
They continued: “It is deeply concerning that the individual responsible was repeatedly arrested and released days before he committed this awful act. We believe there to be critical failings that allowed this to happen.”
They said they were “disappointed” that they have not received a response from Rahman’s supported living accommodation provider, Soaring Heights, after sending over a list of questions about how he was handled in the lead up to their father’s murder.
The daughters added: “There are many unanswered questions. Why was the perpetrator deemed safe to be released into the public? Why were the police not informed of his disappearance with a knife from the supported living facility in the 24 hours before he murdered our father?
“Incidents like this need to trigger a systemic change that will stop preventable tragedies like this from reoccurring.”
Chris Philp MP, shadow home secretary, said: “Mark Carroll should still be alive today, and his family deserve answers about the failures that led up to his murder.
“We have seen with cases like Valdo Calocane and Axel Rudakubana how repeated warning signs and contact with public services were not acted on, raising serious questions about whether opportunities to intervene were missed.
“The government should urgently review the handling of this case, listen to Mark’s daughters and give them the answers they have been asking for.”
Soaring Heights Care, where Rahman was staying, provide accommodation and support for young people, including “assistance to access education, training and employment opportunities”.
They said in a statement that Rahman arrived at the service in June 2022 and was due to leave during the week that he attacked Mark Carroll in April 2024.
They added: “As an adult resident, the service was not automatically provided with information concerning all aspects of his personal circumstances, including previous arrests, convictions or other relevant interactions with law enforcement, unless such information was disclosed to us or otherwise formally communicated to the service.
“At no stage prior to Mr Rahman’s admission, or subsequently during his placement, was the service informed of any previous arrests or convictions relating to Mr Rahman. During his time at the service, Mr Rahman did not display any behaviour that gave staff cause to identify him as presenting a risk of violence. The service was also not made aware of his arrest in June 2023 or of the events of 6 April 2024 at the relevant time.”
Soaring Heights said that if they had been made aware of Rahman’s criminal history or information indicating he was a risk to residents and staff “the placement would have been terminated”.
They concluded: “We remain committed to maintaining appropriate safeguarding, security and risk-management procedures and to reviewing our practices where necessary in light of any relevant information or circumstances.”
A Met spokesperson said: “We understand the concerns felt by many, regarding police contact with Rasheed Rahman in the days before Mark Carroll was murdered by him. Our thoughts remain with Mark’s family, and we continue to keep them updated.
“Alongside an investigation into Mark’s murder, a critical incident review was conducted to examine previous police contact and identify any lessons that could be learned. A number of recommendations were made to improve processes and practices, a number of which have already been implemented.”
The Home Office were contacted for comment.
