As Haverhill welcomed the anti-violence Knife Angel sculpture, the parents of murdered 16-year-old Harley Barfield spoke of the impact of his loss
The official ceremony welcoming the Knife Angel to Haverhill saw the parents of murdered teenager Harley Barfield spell out their hopes that no other family is left to suffer the loss that they have.
The 27ft high sculpture, made by the British Ironworks Centre from 100,000 reclaimed blades has been erected in Haverhill Market Square, where it will stand for 30 days.
It is the first time the sculpture has visited anywhere in Suffolk, Cambridgeshire or Norfolk. It had before now visited more than 50 locations.
The National Monument Against Violence & Aggression, as it is also known, arrived in Haverhill thanks to the efforts of the family of 16-year-old Harley Barfield, who died on January 11, 2023, two days after being stabbed 12 times in Haverhill by another boy of the same age.
The boy, who cannot be named because of his age, was convicted of Harley’s murder and is now serving a life sentence in detention, with a minimum tariff of 17 years.
During the ceremony, Harley’s dad Darryl Barfield paid tribute to his younger brother Lee Barfield, who had supported the fund-raising for the Knife Angel but died suddenly last May, aged 38.
He continued: “Knife crime has taken so many young lives and now this includes my beautiful boy’s life, Harley Reggie Barfield. Aged just 16.
“Harley was a beautiful blue eyed boy, he was energetic, happy, funny, caring, helpful, respectful and loving. I miss you so much son.
“No parent should have to witness their child taking their last breath. Life really did stop for me that day.”
Of the Knife Angel’s potential impact, he said: “Maybe one family will be saved from having to go through the suffering that our families, Harley’s friends and this community have to live through.
“I hope that my son Harley, his memory and his legacy will live long after this Angel departs,”
Harley’s mum, Bernice Jaggard also addressed the crowd, saying: “So many lives have been affected by Harley’s killing alone.
“Harley’s family, friends, children, members of the public that witnessed the attack and countless emergency workers, police, paramedics, doctors, nurses, just to name a few.
“Many people have been left with major traumas and PTSD, the community of Haverhill felt that impact too and came together, which was a real comfort to us in our darkest of days for which we are eternally grateful.
“Thank you Haverhill.
“Today I stand here and ask you to all come together again. With the arrival of the Knife Angel we can all play our part in awareness and education in our community, whether that be around the dinner table, on a car journey, in schools, at work or group settings, these much needed conversations can and should take place anywhere and everywhere.
“Knife crime is becoming an epidemic in society and on our streets so let’s get talking and who knows, your words may just make someone make the right decision to put down their knife and save a life, possibly even their own.
“We educate our kids on road safety, stranger-danger, online safety, all for awareness and protection. It’s now time we educate them about the dangers of knives and the truth about knife crime.”
Cllr Dave Smith said: “The incident that shocked our community has left deep and lasting effects.
“The presence of the Knife Angel allows us to stand united, declaring unequivocally that violence has no place in our town.
“Let us honour Harley by ensuring that such a senseless tragedy never occurs again in our community.”
In front of an audience of members of the general public and invited guests, including representatives of numerous youth groups and organisations, the speakers also included The Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Lady Clare Countess of Euston, The High Sheriff of Suffolk, Yvonne Gilchrist Mason, the Revd Max Drinkwater, of St Mary’s Church Haverhill, Clive Knowles from the British Ironworks Centre and The Revd Kiran Lotay, who works in the Triangle estate in Ipswich.
Rev Lotay is also a rapper and he performed two anti-violence songs that he wrote himself.
