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The ceremony began at the memorial ribbon tie on the Grand Pier’s boardwalk, and attendees then took part in a short candlelit procession through the Sovereign Centre and across to the Italian Gardens, where the Knife Angel was standing.
The crowd then heard from the following speakers:
- Clare Moody, Avon and Somerset police and crime commissioner
- Inspector Lee Kerslake, from Avon and Somerset police
- Jubriel Hanid, brother of Mikhail Hanid, who was tragically fatally stabbed in Weston-super-Mare in 2020
- James Oakley, Mendip Green Primary School headteacher and a campaigner against knife crime.
Councillor Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council, said: “Yesterday’s closing ceremony was a really powerful way for the local community to mark the Knife Angel’s departure from North Somerset.
“During May, around 85,000 people walked past the statue in the Italian Gardens. We had visitors from as far afield as America, Dubai and Germany – as well as many from the south west, too.
“The statue’s visit was accompanied by a month of action, delivered by the North Somerset Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) and other organisations. Throughout May, they spoke to 4,000 secondary students across North Somerset about the Knife Angel, what the statue represents and how to report knife crime. And 260 local students took part in Blunt Truth workshops, educating them on the dangers of knife crime and how they can report it.
“We also ran a variety of art competitions, such as the Superheroes for Peace poster competition – where local primary school students created their own superheroes for peace. All the artwork created as part of Knife Angel’s visit will be going on permanent display, as part of the legacy of Knife Angel’s time with us.
“Thank you to the over 50 volunteers who worked at the Knife Angel information hub seven days a week throughout May, providing information and support to visiting members of the public.
“Although the statue has now left us to travel up to Sunderland, our work to tackle knife crime doesn’t stop here. Our Violence Reduction Partnership team will continue working closely with partner agencies to raise awareness about knife crime, educate young people and the local community, and provide support to those who need it.”
Images show (from left to right): Jubriel Hanid carrying the Knife Torch through the Sovereign Centre, walking alongside Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody; members of the public placing tealights in front of the Knife Angel statue; Inspector Lee Kerslake, James Oakley, PCC Clare Moody, Jubriel Hanid and the High Sheriff of Somerset in front of the Knife Angel; tealights and memorial ribbons in front of the Knife Angel statue.
