This week I paid a very moving visit to the Knife Angel, that has been visiting Maidstone at the Lighthouse Church for the past month. The aim of the project is to encourage people not to carry knives, making them aware of the penalties for doing so. The exhibition provides information to parents and carers, and to young people, to ensure people know what to do if they see others carrying a knife or if they feel pressured into doing so.
The Knife Angel itself is a sculpture made from over 100,000 seized blades. It was created to highlight the negative effects of violent behaviour and educate people about the damage carrying a knife can do, whilst also being a memorial to those who have lost their lives to knife crime. There is also a place for knives to be anonymously handed in.
I was able to tie a ribbon to remember those who have been victims of knife crime in our town and their families. I also spoke with one of the Street Pastor team, who do such amazing work in Maidstone.
I know Kent Police continue to fight knife crime, and at our next liaison meeting with them, I will be asking if there are any plans to repeat the successful Operation Sceptre, which was a targeted clampdown on knife crime last year (https://www.kent.police.uk/news/kent/latest/policing-news/more-than-70-…).
To read more about the Knife Angel project here: https://www.britishironworkcentre.co.uk/the-knife-angel-official/ and if you can, do visit before October 3rd.