A rapper who spent time behind bars has released a new song to combat the growing levels of knife crime sweeping the city.

Having been locked up at 15, Shane Harvey, now more commonly referred to by his stage name Creepzz, knows what it's like to live a life of crime - being sent down for robbery and attacking someone with a weapon.

Norwich Evening News: Cover art for the song 'Tell Me Why' between Creepzz and Ronan (Image: Creepzz)Cover art for the song 'Tell Me Why' between Creepzz and Ronan (Image: Creepzz) (Image: Creepzz)

However, the 27-year-old, who moved to Lowestoft after living in supported accommodation in Norwich, is using his musical talent to try and help the next generation avoid the same mistakes he made with his new song Tell Me Why.

The murders of 18-year-olds Joe Dix in Mile Cross and, more recently, Wymondham's Raymond James Quigley in Ipswich, sparked Creepzz's new single.

He said: "All this crime is getting out of hand and that's the reason the song is titled Tell Me Why because we want to know what's the purpose of all this and why these young people feel the need to do it.

"It's so uncalled for and it's like they're getting younger - it's kids killing kids.

"We're hoping to raise awareness and get into people's ear that this isn't acceptable and try to change people's perspective on this behaviour, that they think is cool, but it's really not."

Norwich Evening News: Vale Green, Mile Cross where 18-year-old Joe Dix was murdered (Image: Newsquest)Vale Green, Mile Cross where 18-year-old Joe Dix was murdered (Image: Newsquest) (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

The most recent figures available, for 2021, saw 244 people cautioned or sentenced for knife and offensive weapon offences in Norfolk - although that was down slightly on 273 in 2020 and significantly down on 318 from 2019 before the Covid pandemic.

The rapper teamed up with another city songwriter, 16-year-old Ronan Williams, on the track.

Creepzz added: "We feel like the song is eye-opening. If we can get through to even one person with this song it would be a massive achievement.

Norwich Evening News: Creepzz, whose real name is Shane Harvey, was in prison at 15 before music turned his life around (Image: Creepzz)Creepzz, whose real name is Shane Harvey, was in prison at 15 before music turned his life around (Image: Creepzz) (Image: Creepzz)

"We want people to put down their knives and walk away.

"If we can do that with the song we've created it would be near enough life-changing."

Norwich Evening News: Westgate Street, Ipswich, where 18-year-old Raymond James Quigley was stabbed to death (Image: Newsquest)Westgate Street, Ipswich, where 18-year-old Raymond James Quigley was stabbed to death (Image: Newsquest) (Image: Archant)