Knife Angel sculpture set to visit Haverhill in Suffolk

The Knife Angel sculpture, which aims to raise awareness of the dangers of knife crime and is made up of tens of thousands of seized blades, will visit Haverhill for September. 

This follows a lengthy campaign by the family of Harley Barfield, a 16-year-old boy who was stabbed in the town in January last year, passing away at Royal Papworth Hospital two days later.

Harley Barfield, who was stabbed in Haverhill in January 2023 (Image: Suffolk Constabulary)

In December, a then-17-year-old boy was handed a life sentence with a  minimum custodial term of 17 years following a trial lasting over four weeks.

Cllr Joe Mason, who represents Haverhill North on West Suffolk Council, said he was looking forward to the arrival of the Knife Angel.

"It provides a timely reminder about how all violence is unacceptable and that the costs and consequences are too great, causing grief or pain for years to come, as we have seen locally," he said.

"The artwork highlights the negative effects of violent behaviour and presses for a need for change.

"I like to also see it as a call for ordinary members of the community to stand up for all victims of violence including women and children. 

"Sadly, these behaviours are still all too prevalent yet seems to be rarely discussed or challenged."

Cllr Joe Mason, who represents Haverhill North on West Suffolk Council (Image: WSC)

He continued: "As a county, district and town councillor, or indeed as a teacher and father, I am keen to stand with those calling for zero tolerance for knife crime and to stand with all those affected by violence in which ever form it takes.

"I sincerely hope it encourages thoughtful discussion across our community that lasts long beyond its installation in Haverhill."

David Smith, who represents Haverhill South on the district council and is town mayor, said the Knife Angel will be a good way to raise awareness of violence and aggression in general and educate residents. 

"I believe Haverhill is a very safe place to live but unfortunately there was this incident that has brought into sharp focus that there's always that possibility of it happening," he said.

"If we can educate young people particularly not to carry knives then happy days.

"We are proud as a town that it is coming. They don't generally come to places as small as Haverhill so that is huge for us as a town," he added.

The arrival of the statue comes as a knife amnesty is being held in Suffolk and the wider country ahead of the introduction of a new law.

The legislation comes into force on Tuesday, September 24, and is aimed at removing specific knives from circulation. 

It will prohibit the sale and importation of knives that meet the criteria which dictates that any knife over eight inches and with one or more serrated edges could be banned.

The statue made of knives (Image: Newsquest)

Ahead of the ban the government is introducing a surrender and compensation amnesty scheme. 

Owners who surrender knives will be eligible for compensation and will need to complete the form on the Gov.uk website and bring it with them along with the knife being surrendered.

Knives in Suffolk can be handed in at police stations in Princes Street in Ipswich, Raingate Street in Bury St Edmunds and Old Nelson Street in Lowestoft. 

The amnesty scheme will run from Monday, August 26 until Monday, September 23.

Inspector Matt Breeze said: "Removing knives from our streets and away from where (and from whom) they can do serious harm within the community is an ongoing priority, which is why we have nine permanent amnesty bins located across Suffolk.

"A knife placed in one of these bins is another knife off our streets. These bins allow dangerous weapons to be safely disposed of and their visible presence on our towns also serves to raise awareness of the dangers posed by those carrying knives." 

He added that the constabulary launched a new policing model towards the end of 2023 in response to rising and changing demands, with Community Policing Teams patrolling and reacting to intelligence from the public.

He also highlighted the bi-monthly digital newsletter which provides update from local policing teams regarding crime.

"From September 24 it will be an offence to possess 'zombie-style' knives and machetes in the UK," he continued.

"This has been launched and will be led by the Home Office and is an important development that will help us tackle knife-related criminality in Suffolk.

"We remain committed to proactively tackling knife crime and violent offending."