Stab victim's parents call for school knife arches

The parents of a 15-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed last week have called for knife detectors to be introduced in schools.

Harvey Willgoose died from chest injuries at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield on 3 February.

Harvey's mother, Caroline, and father, Mark, said they wanted knife arches - the metal detectors used in courts and at airports - to be brought in in secondary schools to stop other families suffering the same ordeal.

The couple met South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard and senior Sheffield City Council figures on Wednesday and described the talks as "positive".

Mr Willgoose said he and his wife "most definitely" felt they had been listened to.

"We would personally like knife arches in secondary schools.

"That's what we're pushing for. We just want to keep kids safe.

"We just don't want anyone to go through what we have."

Mrs Willgoose said Harvey's family wanted to "stop this from happening to anybody else".

"If one school puts one in, then let everybody else follow by example and do this," she said.

Mr and Mrs Willgoose also said they had gained comfort from the public support they'd received since Harvey's death.

Hundreds of people marched through Sheffield on Saturday in memory of the teenager.

Mrs Willgoose said: "Seeing people we don't know and just seeing the hurt on their faces and knowing everyone's hurting, I'm getting comfort from that because I don't feel like we're on our own.

"Even if you don't know us and you didn't know Harvey, I am getting comfort from that."

As well as meeting Mr Coppard, the couple met councillor Dawn Dale, the chair of Sheffield City Council's education, children and families committee, and the authority's chief executive, Kate Josephs.

In a statement afterwards, Ms Dale said: "As mothers ourselves, we were humbled by the dignity of the family in these unimaginable circumstances.

"We are committed to advocating for Harvey's family and, where possible, unlocking any barriers they may face.

"We have committed to an ongoing relationship with Harvey's family as they continue through their grief and will work with them to bring people together across the city at this difficult time, ensuring the voices of young people are heard."

An inquest into Harvey's death opened on Tuesday morning, before being adjourned until 31 July pending the outcome of criminal proceedings.

A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named, appeared in court charged with murder, possession of a bladed article and affray last week.

Expressing condolences to Harvey's family, assistant coroner Hannah Berry said: "I really am so very sorry.

"I really just can't imagine how you are surviving day-to-day."

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