Father of murdered Suffolk boy says knife ban not enough

This follows new laws banning weapons known as a zombie knives on Tuesday.

Harley Barfield, 16, died after being stabbed in Haverhill, Suffolk, in January 2023 and his father, Darryl Barfield, has campaigned against knife crime ever since.

Zombie knives are banned under the new laws (Image: Newsquest) Mr Barfield believes knife crime is unstoppable because the underlying cause is drug crime.

“It's county drug dealing coming into the towns and cities and villages, giving the drugs to little kids.

“They've got to carry knives to protect themselves in case they get robbed. So, what can we do? It’s not going to stop. The numbers are just going to get higher and higher and higher.”

Mr Barfield added that only a complete reform of the prison-system, to emphasise rehabilitation, would help fix the issue.

“At the moment prison is a job centre for crime. People go in as shoplifters and they come out as burglars. The prisoners need to be getting help. The kids need it to be like an army boot camp I guarantee you that will teach them.”

New police figures show a consistent increase in crimes involving zombie knives.

In 2018 only one crime involving zombie knives was recorded in Suffolk but in 2023 there were 20.

Zombie knife crime in Suffolk (Image: Newsquest) There have also been increases in crimes involving machetes in Suffolk and in 2018 there were 37 while in 2023 there were 46. 

Machete crime in Suffolk (Image: Newsquest)However, knife crime overall in Suffolk has actually dropped recently.

Superintendent Janine Wratten said: “Nationally and locally, we see crime trends are ever changing, something that we continuously monitor and adapt to. Changes in the way crimes are recorded, legislation changes and public awareness can play a part in this.

Superintendent Janine Wratten (Image: Suffolk Police)“In Suffolk we saw a 28.43% decrease in all knife-related investigations in the 12 months up to July this year in comparison to the previous 12-month period.

Supt Wratten added: “We welcome the changes to the law and all efforts to prevent these dangerous weapons from appearing on our streets.

“We have all seen the devastating effects knife crime has on families and communities.

“We will continue to take a proactive approach to raising awareness about and preventing and reducing knife crime.”

The zombie knife figures could also be skewed as more recent awareness of what defines a zombie knife means more weapons are being reported in this category.  

A statue built from 100,000 seized blades has been on display in Haverhill after Mr Barfield campaigned for it to be placed in the town.

The statue made of knives (Image: Newsquest) Councillor for Haverhill Joe Mason said the attack is still very much in the minds of residents: “For us to lose one of our own came as a real shock but the community have really rallied round.

“I don't think there's a day that goes by when we don't have a stream of visitors, and it's really quite profound."

He added that the statue gave the community "an opportunity, to reflect and to quietly come together against the idea of knife crime.”

Suffolk Police officer Sergeant Steve Wright said the force will take “robust” action against those who carry knives.

“The criteria set out in the new law dictates that any knife over eight inches in length and with one - or more - serrated edge could meet the requirement of a banned knife,” said Sgt Wright.

“The harm that is caused to families and communities through the tragic loss of life relating to knife crime is devastating which is why tackling knife-related crime remains a priority for Suffolk Constabulary.”