Sergeant Lee Humphries has spoken to The Journal ahead of Charley Bates memorial service taking place in Radstock on Friday, 2nd September, reassuring the public that the local police force are doing all they can following his tragic death.

He said: “Radstock is a close knit community which is clearly still processing the awful death of Charley. Our thoughts within the police service go out to his family at this tragic time. In a perverse way the incident appears to have bought the community and young people closer together. Reports of anti social behaviour are down in the previously reported common areas.

“Whether that is to do with the young people still mourning and processing the incident or the community as a whole being more tolerant to groups of youths being on the street and in the car parks clearly upset and dealing with grief. It feels as though empathy and understanding is being shown on both sides.

“All partners within the community have worked together including the local Church associations, local Council, youth connect workers and the local neighbourhood police team. Only today I have received an email from the local Council when discussing the memorial service due to take place on Friday stating “The Council have noted the support from the local team and yourself, as well as the wider policing team. This has been a very difficult time for the community and the way the incident has been handled has been commendable. Please share the Councils appreciation with your colleagues.”

“We have also received a letter from the local Methodist Church asking for us to let the community know that their prayers are with us and the people of Radstock to help with the considerable pain being felt at this time.

“The death of a young person in this way is extremely rare in the UK let alone a small town like Radstock. As a policing team we will continue to be visible and present in the community we serve to re-assure and allay fears. We will also continue with our educational talks in the schools around knife crime, choices and consequences when the schools return next week.”