Haverhill chosen to host Knife Angel sculpture as a ‘legacy’ to stab victim Harley Barfield

A striking sculpture made out of 100,000 knives could be on its way to Haverhill – helping to create a lasting legacy to 16-year-old Harley Barfield, who was stabbed to death in the town.

The Knife Angel, which stands at 20ft high and is also known as the National Monument Against Violence & Aggression, is scheduled to come to Haverhill in September 2024.

Made by the British Ironworks Centre in Shropshire from knives handed in during police amnesties, it has visited 30 towns and cities in England and Wales, and is scheduled to visit 21 more.

Haverhill would become the first location in Suffolk to host the statue, which was created to become part of the UK’s stance against knife crime and violence.

A certificate confirming a pre-hosting acceptance award for the sculpture to visit Haverhill for 30 days has been presented to Harley’s dad Darryl – who pushed for the town to be added to the scheduled.

The certificate states that it: “Grants pre-hosting acceptance to host the Knife Angel and to become part of the National Youth Anti-Violence Educational Programme and tour, subject to agreement signature and planning confirmation.”

It is signed by Clive Knowles, the founder and owner of the British Ironworks Centre.

Harley was less than one month past his 16th birthday when he was stabbed on January 9 this year in the car park next to Strasbourg Square in Haverhill.

He died in Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge two days later as a result of a stab wound to his heart.

Harley’s dad Darryl said: “Clive Knowles, who owns it, I’ve been begging him for four months to host it and in the end he has given in, so I can host it (in Haverhill).

“It’s brilliant because it leaves behind a legacy for Harley.

“I’ve not just been sitting on my bum grieving, me and my partner have been working hard behind closed doors to fight for this.”

West Suffolk MP, Matt Hancock, whom Darryl was due to meet at Westminster today, said: "As a father myself, I can't imagine the pain and suffering Harley's family has felt.

"I was incredibly moved reading the tributes to Harley – particularly those about his smile and infectious laugh.

"I made it clear to the family that I would support them during this immensely difficult time and help in any way I can.

"I look forward to welcoming Harley's parents to Parliament on Thursday and discussing how we tackle the scourge of knife crime.

"Welcoming the Knife Angel to Suffolk for the first time will help raise further awareness.

“It's an incredibly powerful sculpture.

"I'm determined to make sure no other family has to go through what Harley's family has."

The visit of the Knife Angel is dependent on public involvement and community collaboration, including intensive anti-violence education programmes and workshops for the youth being held during the 30-days, and continued beyond its stay in the town.

Darryl said the aim is to collaborate with the likes of Turning Point, the substance abuse charity, social services, the police, local authorities, mental health services, schools and youth services to set up the educational programmes and workshops required.

Although those things have yet to be done, as has agreeing where the statue would be placed in Haverhill, Darryl added: “We have got the ball rolling.”

Tim Passmore, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk, said of the Knife Angel’s visit: “I’m more than happy to support it because if it raises the awareness, anything like that is a very good thing to do.

“If there is a year to go and there is anything I can do to help then I will, in terms of raising publicity and awareness.”

He also pointed out that his office has recently given an £18,000 grant to Haverhill Community Trust to support a project that works with young people and focuses on preventing anti-social behaviour and knife crime.

A £15,000 grant, he added, was also given to the charity Room4, with the aim of preventing the exploitation of vulnerable young people.

A 16-year-old boy, who is from the Haverhill area but cannot be named due to legal reasons, has been charged with the murder of Harley and is due to stand trial at Ipswich Crown Court on October 3.