Hundreds of people gathered in Plymouth city centre this afternoon as the Knife Angel was officially unveiled.
The 27ft sculpture, crafted from more than 100,000 seized or surrendered knives, now stands between the Civic Centre and Guildhall buildings until 30 March as part of a month long programme.
Among those addressing the crowd was the family of Michael Riddiough-Allen, 32, who was fatally stabbed outside Eclipse Nightclub in Bodmin on 30 April 2023.
Becky Dustan, Michael’s sister and founder of the knife crime charity MIKES Trust set up in his memory, said at the unveiling:
"By hearing about knife crime and truly understanding the devastation it causes, is how we stop more lives from being destroyed.
“To see the Knife Angel here in our region means everything to us. It carries the weight of so many stories and so many families like ours.
"If it encourages even one person to think twice, then it is doing something powerful.”
The visit has been funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner using Serious Violence Duty funding.
Cllr Sally Haydon, Cabinet Member for Community Safety at Plymouth City Council said:
“The Knife Angel is more than a sculpture, it is a moment for our city to come together. Alongside our partners, we’re supporting workshops, community talks and school sessions that will help turn awareness into real change.
“Plymouth does not face a knife‑crime crisis, and overall incidents here remain comparatively low, but even one incident is one too many and its impact can be lifelong. This programme isn’t about suggesting there is a problem; it’s about keeping it that way.
“By bringing the Knife Angel to Plymouth, we are sending a clear message of prevention, education and early intervention.
"It acts as a powerful deterrent, a reminder of the consequences of violence, and a chance to engage people of all ages before harm occurs.
"This is fundamentally about compassion, community responsibility and standing alongside those who have been affected – while working proactively to protect others in the future.”
In comparison to national standards, knife crime in Plymouth remains low, but prevention remains a priority.
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