CALLS have been made for a public enquiry into the murder of Tom Roberts in Bournemouth town centre. 

Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai, 21, stabbed and killed the 21-year-old DJ outside Subway in Old Christchurch Road in March 2022 after a row broke out over an e-scooter. 

Abdulrahimzai, from Afghanistan, arrived in the UK in December 2019, telling the authorities at the time of his arrest that he was 14 when he arrived in the country before it was determined by the courts he had been 18. 

Green councillor Joe Salmon, who is also standing in the general election for Bournemouth East, said: “Without a public inquiry it’s clear that the various failings at both a national and local level which allowed this to happen will never be identified, let alone fixed.  

Bournemouth Echo: Joe SalmonJoe Salmon (Image: Greens)

“There is a significant and rising problem with violent crime here in Bournemouth and in many other parts of the country. 

“I want Bournemouth, and everywhere in the UK, to be a safe haven for those fleeing violence and persecution, but this is only possible if we ensure first and foremost that the UK is itself a safe place to begin with.” 

Cllr Salmon and other Green councillors have been in close contact with Mr Roberts’ family, supporting them as they fight for justice and to prevent other families from a similar situation. 

Meanwhile, Bournemouth West MP Sir Conor Burns previously said there was a series of "spectacular failures" which led to Mr Roberts’ murder. 

He said there was an urgent need for a "comprehensive inquiry" after Abdulrahimzai's background as a convicted murderer in Europe came to light following his conviction. 

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood also asked for the Home Office to launch an investigation. 

The Home Office is conducting an internal investigation to examine the circumstances surrounding Abdulrahimzai, however, it has previously said the reports will not be published. 

While the trial is over and Abdulrahimzai was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 29 years, the inquest is still ongoing. 

A previous pre-inquest review into Mr Roberts’ death heard that the Home Office’s Prevent anti-terrorism programme had been made aware of Abdulrahimzai a year before the fatal incident.