Plymouth to host Knife Angel monument in month-long anti-violence campaign

Plymouth will host the stunning and emotive sculpture 'Knife Angel' throughout March as part of a major community programme focused on preventing violence, raising awareness and supporting education around knife crime.

The Knife Angel, the National Monument Against Violence and Aggression, stands 27 feet tall and is made from more than 100,000 seized or surrendered blades. The sculpture will be installed outside the Civic Centre and Guildhall, illuminated each evening, and on display from 3 to 30 March 2026.

The visit is funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner using the Community Safety Partnership’s Serious Violence Duty fund, with support from Devon and Cornwall Police, Plymouth City Council, schools, multi-academy trusts, youth services, domestic abuse specialists, mental health and substance misuse providers, community and faith groups, and Mike’s Trust.

Although knife crime levels in Plymouth remain relatively low compared with many UK cities, authorities say incidents still cause significant harm. Police estimate that around one in 2,000 people carry a knife in Devon and Cornwall, with many knife-related cases in Plymouth linked to wider issues such as domestic abuse, alcohol-related harm, exploitation, and mental health or self-harm crises.

Organisers say the Knife Angel’s visit aims to turn awareness into action by encouraging people not to carry knives, promoting safe surrender options and delivering a month-long programme of workshops, school sessions and community events.

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.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said public concern about weapon carrying had helped prompt the initiative. “We thankfully don’t have the scale of knife problems as seen in other areas of the country, but it is still there and we can’t ignore it.

“My office’s recent survey of young people and adults identified they worried about people carrying weapons on our streets. The more we can do to deter people from carrying a knife and show that we act to prevent their concerns the better, which is why when I heard about successful engagements with people when the Knife Angel has visited other areas such as Kent and Gloucestershire, I wanted to deliver the opportunity in our area. The Knife Angel is an impactful way of reaching out to young people, organisations and the community. It’s a reminder that still too many people die each year where a knife is involved. It’s not just about having the Knife Angel statue there, but also an educational package around it during the month it is there to prevent people considering carrying a knife or encouragement to report those who do.”

Plymouth Commander for Devon and Cornwall Police, Matt Longman, added: “The knife angel is a visually striking and thought-provoking structure. It is hoped that it will create conversations and raise awareness around knife safety among our communities across all age groups. Devon and Cornwall Police is pleased to be supporting this campaign, in particular by facilitating the education packages which are being offered to schools and colleges across the region. It’s important that people understand that carrying a knife doesn’t make them safer; in fact it can put a person in more danger of knife harm.

“We have permanent knife surrender bins at police stations across the area and encourage people to use them. I urge anyone who has concerns about knife crime or knife carrying to contact police or anonymously through CrimeStoppers.”

Find your nearest location: dc.police.uk/peo

The month-long installation is expected to draw visitors from across the region, with organisers hoping it will spark conversations, support prevention work and reinforce community efforts to keep knife crime levels low.

If any local group or organisation would like to hold their own activities, quiet reflection, workshops, or coordinated sessions regarding the Knife Angel or Knife Crime in Plymouth, please email: emily.richards@fgct.co.uk as the Council has reserved rooms in the Council House for community-led activity.