Haverhill Knife Angel: Suffolk PCC urges people to rethink carrying weapons
"Carrying a knife can have terrible consequences"
The man overseeing Suffolk's policing is urging people in the county to rethink carrying knives as weapons.
The call, from Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore, comes as the Knife Angel, a 27 foot tall anti-knife crime installation made entirely from seized blades, is currently on display in Haverhill.
It will be there for a month in memory of 16-year-old Harley Barfield, who died after he was stabbed in the town in January 2023.
A 17 year old was sentenced to life in prison for his murder in December 2023.
Tim has this message for anyone carrying a knife in Suffolk: "Carrying a knife can have terrible consequences and it doesn't keep you safe...
"If there's a difficulty, resolve it by conversation and discussion - don't resort to extreme violence...
"The Knife Angel portrays a very important message - there is no price to put on the taking of a life, regardless of the circumstances, and I hope this reinforces that...
"When you get a tragedy like Harley's death, the impact goes on for many year.
"Whilst people might come to terms with it, they never actually get over it and I think those who are tempted by violence need to think about this more seriously - the lack of compassion and care is quite shocking."
Figures released last month by Suffolk Police revealed, in the 12 months to the end of March 2024, that there'd been a 30% drop in knife crime offences.