Throughout September, Chelmsford’s Central Park hosted The Knife Angel, a powerful monument warning of the dangers of knife crime.
The Knife Angel is a 27-foot sculpture constructed from 100,000 confiscated or surrendered weapons, including blunted flick knives, kitchen knives and even samurai swords.
It is hoped its message to ‘Save a Life, Surrender Your Knife’ will leave a lasting impression on the city.
The British Ironwork Centre created the sculpture, which travels all over the UK, to raise awareness about the dangers of knife crime, aggression and violence. This was the Knife Angel’s first appearance in Essex and more than a thousand blades from the county can be found within it.
Personal messages from families affected by the terrible consequences of knife crime have also been engraved onto the feathers of the angel’s wings.
During September a knife amnesty campaign was also held and 154 blades were collected from the knife bin in front of the sculpture.
The Knife Angel visit was led by Chelmsford-based youth organisation Keep it 100 Youth CIC with the support of partners including the VVU, Chelmsford City Council and Essex Police.
