Nick Timothy, the MP for West Suffolk, made clear his no-nonsense stance on crime after visiting the Knife Angel statue in Haverhill’s Market Square with local councillor Joe Mason.
The Knife Angel was constructed using over 100,000 seized blades to underline the devastating impact that violent crime can have. It has been available for residents and visitors to view in Haverhill’s Market Square during the month of September.
Nick said following the visit: “In a civilised society violence is never acceptable, and carrying a knife is never okay. In Haverhill we all know the terrible consequences of knife crime, and it’s vital that young people know never even to consider it.
“That’s why I was so pleased to see the Knife Angel come here. It’s one thing to see it in print, but another to see it close-up. Seeing all those blades is a chilling reminder of the reality of knife crime.
I want to thank everyone who worked so hard to bring the statue here so residents could experience it for themselves. And I want to send my thoughts and prayers to all those who have lost family and friends to violence.”
Nick voted in Parliament against the Labour Government’s move to release thousands of offenders from UK prisons (see Hansard).
Nick also met last week with Suffolk Constabulary’s Sudbury and Haverhill Locality Commander, Inspector Ben Hollands, to discuss issues of crime and public safety.
Commenting, Inspector Hollands said: “Suffolk police remain committed to tackling knife related crime and the Haverhill Community Policing are supporting the Knife Angel initiative within our community.
“We are really lucky that Haverhill is a safer place to live and we are seeing a reduction in the number of violent offences recorded, but we acknowledge there is always more we can do to make our community as safe as possible.”
