Knife Angel arrives in Haverhill
The sculpture is made of over 100,000 blades to highlight the impact of knife violence
Last updated 5th Sep 2024
The Knife Angel has arrived in Haverhill, Suffolk.
The 27-foot national monument against violence and aggression, will stand in Haverhill Market Square, with its arrival marked in a special ceremony yesterday evening.
The Knife Angel's arrival was brought on following the death of 16-year-old Harley Barfield, who was fatally stabbed in the town back in January 2023.
A 16 year old was sentenced to life in prison for his murder in December 2023.
To help bring the Knife Angel to Haverhill, Harley's father, Darryl Barfield, set up a Go Fund Me, which has raised thousands of pounds.
The project has also been supported by Haverhill Town Council, which is assisting with related projects and financial management.
Haverhill Town Mayor, David Smith previously spoke about the importance of the monument coming to Haverhill: “To have The Knife Angel come to Haverhill would be an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of knife crime, and to acknowledge the sad loss of Harley Barfield in 2023...
"Being able to host the powerful and striking sculpture in Haverhill will provoke discussions and serve as a reminder to educate people on the impact knife crime can have on a family and the wider community.”
More about the Knife Angel
The Knife Angel, created by artist Alfie Bradley and the British Ironworks Centre, is made from over 100,000 seized blades.
It was created to highlight the negative effects of violent behaviour of all types, including knife crime, domestic assault, sexual abuse and county lines drug dealing.
Those behind the Angel hope it will act as both a catalyst for turning the tide on violent and aggressive behaviour, and a memorial designed to commemorate the lives lost through violent and thoughtless actions.
The installation in Haverhill will be the first time that the Knife Angel statue has appeared in Suffolk, Cambridgeshire or Norfolk.
Reverend Max Drinkwater explained that Harley's family have been vital in getting the Knife Angel to Haverhill:
"They were the ones who got behind this - his father in particular, Daryl has been instrumental in bringing the knife Angel to Haverhill.
"This is the smallest place that it's ever been. It was only because of Harley's story and just showing how much the community wanted to get behind making people aware of violent crime and the Community response to it, that it's coming to Haverhill at all.
"I know this will be a really important moment for his family, as well as the wider community."