An art installation and the volunteers that helped make it a success in Birkenhead have been commended for the impact they have had on local residents.
According to Wirral Council, the Knife Angel had a "phenomenal" impact on local residents and visitors from far and wide.
Volunteers from the Salvation Army and Church Together generously gave up their time to offer chaplaincy support to visitors of the sculpture which stands 27 feet tall and weighs over 3.5 tonnes.
The contemporary sculpture is formed of 100,000 knives created by artist Alfie Bradley and the British Ironworks Centre, based in Oswestry. It has traveled to different locations to educate young people on the harmful effect violent behaviour can have on communities.
Mark Camborne, Assistant Director of Neighbourhoods, Safety, and Transport at Wirral Council said: "We have seen 350 knives surrendered through a weapons amnesty, with amnesty boxes located across the borough. We have seen over 20,000 visitors to the Knife Angel and engaged with over 1,500 young people. The success of the anti-violence message can also be seen through a reduction of 54% in the number of offences involving a knife in July compared to the previous month."
Mr. Camborne also expressed his "immense thanks" to volunteers from the Salvation Army and Churches Together who, "ensured the successful delivery of the Knife Angel project."
The Knife Angel is a contemporary sculpture formed of 100,000 knives created by artist Alfie Bradley and the British Ironworks Centre, based in Oswestry. It has traveled to different locations to educate young people on the harmful effect violent behaviour can have on communities.
After leaving Birkenhead, the 27ft-tall sculpture traveled to Redcar in North Yorkshire to continue promoting its message of intolerance to violence and aggression in our communities.
