Plymouth’s city centre has welcomed an unforgettable new arrival after the Knife Angel was lifted into place by crane this afternoon.
The 27ft sculpture known as the National Monument Against Violence and Aggression is made from more than 100,000 seized or surrendered knives.
Plymouth has welcomed the striking monument after it was transported over 250 miles by road from Oswestry in Shropshire.
The artwork will remain in place between the Civic Centre and Guildhall buildings until Monday, 30 March 2026.
Each evening, the monument will be illuminated as thousands are expected to visit over the coming weeks.
Created by artist Alfie Bradley and manufactured at the British Ironworks Centre, the sculpture was crafted from knives surrendered during police amnesties or seized by police forces across the UK.
Many of the knives carry engraved messages from families affected by violence, turning the artwork into both a memorial and a call for change.
The visit has been funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner using Serious Violence Duty funding, with support from Devon and Cornwall Police and Plymouth City Council.
A month long programme of community engagement will now take place, including school workshops, youth sessions and bystander training.
Plymouth remains a safe city by national standards, and knife carrying locally is rare, but recent isolated incidents have had devastating consequences.
The aim of the visit is to encourage early intervention, promote support services and reinforce the message that carrying a knife can destroy lives in an instant.
Safe knife surrender bins remain permanently available at police stations across Devon and Cornwall, allowing weapons to be handed in anonymously.
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