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The Knife Angel is visiting Weston-super-Mare as part of a nationwide tour to highlight the issue of violent crime.
The 27-foot-tall statue has been created from more than 100,000 knives and blades confiscated by 43 of the UK’s police forces. Designed by Alfie Bradley at the British Ironwork Centre (BIC), Knife Angel is a national monument against violence and aggression.
While the statue is in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset’s Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) are working with a range of organisations and community partners to hold a month of action to raise awareness about knife crime.
This programme of events includes educational workshops, art installations, competitions and community awareness days. For more information, visit: www.n-somerset.gov.uk/knifeangel.
The public are invited to attend a short opening ceremony on Wednesday 1 May at 4pm in the Italian Gardens. Emma Webber – whose 19-year-old son, Barnaby, was tragically fatally stabbed in Nottingham – the High Sheriff of Somerset and the British Ironwork Centre Chairman are set to speak.
The winners of the ‘Consequences’ photography competition and Ryan Abrahams, a student at Weston College who designed the Knife Angel North Somerset logo, will also be invited to the ceremony.
Councillor James Clayton, North Somerset Council’s executive member for safety in the community, said: “Knife crime is a serious and growing problem, and one that’s being highlighted through the Knife Angel’s national tour against violent crime.
“As well as coming to the see the statue itself, I’d encourage everybody to engage with the wider programme of events that we’ve planned for May. These activities are designed to help spread awareness about knife crime, and the roles we can all play to keep ourselves and our community safe.”