A huge sculpture made of 100,000 confiscated knives is set to return to Merseyside as knife crime continues to be a heartbreaking focal point for communities throughout the county.
The 27ft tall sculpture is constructed of 100,000 knives confiscated by 43 police forces around the country. It is currently on a tour of British cities and towns, serving as a stark reminder of the grim reality of knife crime, and will be placed at the grand entrance to Birkenhead Park throughout the whole of July.
The towering piece of prescient art was at Liverpool Cathedral in 2018. It is making its return to the county after a year where incidents involving knives have been in the news almost daily, particularly after the fatal stabbing of 14 year old schoolgirl Ava White.
READ MORE: Ava White died after knife punctured windpipe and key vein
Appropriate surrender boxes will be placed at the foot of the sculpture, where those carrying a knife or dangerous weapon can give it up without fear of recrimination. The knives it is made of were all surrendered during a previous amnesty appeal throughout 2015 and 2016.
Emily Spurrell, Merseyside's police and crime commissioner, said : "The Knife Angel is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of knife crime on individuals, families and communities. Sadly, we have seen those heart-breaking consequences right here in Merseyside too many times.
“Wherever the Knife Angel has visited, it has acted as a powerful call to action. It has brought people together to renew their commitment to preventing and tackling the use of knives, while providing an opportunity to remember those who lives have been lost or irrevocably changed.
“So, I’m delighted the Knife Angel will soon be arriving on the Wirral and I hope it will have a similar impact here. I know its visit is already acting as the inspiration for a whole series of events and activities focused on stopping knife crime.
“If we are to truly make our communities safer, we must all pull together to increase awareness and education, divert young people away from crime and prevent these tragedies from ever taking place.”
Cllr Janette Williamson, leader of Wirral Council, said: "Knife crime and other violent offences sadly continue to be a serious cause of concern within our communities. The presence of the Knife Angel in Birkenhead will reinforce the work that is already under way by community safety partners in Wirral and the rest of Merseyside to reduce incidents and help residents feel safer.
“I’d encourage as many people as possible to visit it and maybe engage with one of the many related events taking place in July.”
Under the "Save a Life, Surrender your Knife" amnesty campaign the statue will also serve to kick off a month of events all focused on educating on and preventing violent crime. Its second stint in Merseyside will conclude with a candlelit vigil at the foot of the statue on Friday, July 29.
Superintendent Martin Earl, from Merseyside Police, said: “We are pleased to welcome the Knife Angel to Wirral to kick off a whole series of community events, which we hope will start a discussion on the issue of knife crime within the community. Sadly, we all know the devastating consequences knife crime can have and we’ve seen its effects on victims, their families and the community as a whole.
“The Knife Angel starts a conversation and it’s important that we all stop and think about violent crime. Preventing this kind of crime is a priority for the force, but we know we can’t do it alone -– we need to continue our work with communities, partners, schools and young people.
“By taking a collaborative stance with our partners, we will continue to educate, enforce and act on any information given to us to bring those involved in this type of offending to justice.”
