'Knife Angel' to highlight dangers of crimes using blades

Hundreds of knives and other blades seized by North Yorkshire Police are being used to raise awareness of the dangers of knife crime.
Haul of bladed weapons in North YorkshireHaul of bladed weapons in North Yorkshire
Haul of bladed weapons in North Yorkshire

Blades of all shapes and sizes – including a variety of ornamental swords – will form part of a 'knife angel' sculpture to act as a monument against violence and aggression as part of a national campaign.

The knives were collected from across York and North Yorkshire by police over the last year, in many cases seized by officers during criminal investigations, and are now ready for disposal.

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The national ‘Save A Life, Surrender Your Knife’ campaign aims to remove 100,000 knives from the streets of the UK, and raise awareness. The campaign intends the art piece to show that we can all work together as a nation in spreading awareness and the need for education when it comes to knife violence.

Families who have lost loved ones to knife crime and violence are encouraged to visit the sculpture and engrave an everlasting message on the monument. The blades for this purpose have been carefully selected, to ensure they have not been used in any crime.

About 250 knives and blades were collected from North Yorkshire Police by the British Ironwork Centre and securely transported to their centre at no cost to the force.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Kennedy, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “North Yorkshire is a safe place, and thankfully knife crime is very rare here. Unfortunately, when it does happen, it can have devastating consequences for those involved. It is fitting that these blades will be disposed of in a way that will commemorate victims and educate others about the dangers of knife violence.”