Gabe’s Law

On 3rd October 2020, a 15-year-old teenager, Gabriel Santer, fell to his death from the open roof of a multi-storey car park in Liverpool.

At the inquest that followed, an open verdict was returned.

If the barriers had been higher, Gabriel’s death could have been prevented.

Gabriel’s father Johnny contacted his MP Maria Eagle and in February 2023, The Multi-Storey Car Parks (Safety) Bill was introduced. The campaign was launched in March 2023 with coverage secured across a range of print, broadcast and online media including: Liverpool Echo, BBC, ITV, and Parking Review

Following the election of a new Government in July 2024 and Maria’s promotion to the front bench, the Bill was reintroduced to Parliament in June 2025 by Peter Dowd MP. 

The Bill calls for an increase to the legal minimum height of barriers throughout multi-storey car parks, currently 1.1m, and 24-hour security. 

At Prime Minister’s Questions on 2^nd July 2025, Sir Keir Starmer responding to a question from Peter Dowd, agreed to look at the contents of the Bill and specifically to conduct a call for evidence on building regulation Part K which looks at minimum guarding heights.

Just five days later, and the day after Gabe’s 20^th birthday, Johnny had a positive meeting with Building Safety Minister, Alex Norris MP and handed over documents and correspondence which the Minister promised to review.

This meeting resulted in national media coverage including on BBC Radio 4, BBC News and ITVprompting many other families whose loved ones have lost their lives in similar circumstances to join the campaign for Gabe’s Law.

Johnny is working towards setting up a foundation and building a skate park in Liverpool, partnering with mental health charities.

If you’d like to get involved and help change the law to save lives, please contact Johnny at hello@gabeslaw.org

For media enquiries please contact Richard Clein at Boxed Off Communications at richard@boxedoffcomms.co.uk working pro-bono to support the campaign.