A towering 27-foot sculpture made from more than 100,000 seized knives has officially opened in Ely as part of a major campaign to tackle knife crime and violence across Cambridgeshire. The nationally recognised Knife Angel opened on Palace Green, opposite Ely Cathedral, on May 20 and will remain in the city until June 17.
The striking monument, created by sculptor Alfie Bradley at the British Ironwork Centre, has toured the UK since 2018 as a symbol of the devastating impact of knife crime on families and communities.
Its arrival in Cambridgeshire coincides with Knife Crime Awareness Week and marks the sculpture’s first-ever visit to the county.
The opening ceremony featured speeches from Cambridgeshire High Sheriff Frances Burkitt, Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston, Chief Constable Simon Megicks, Chief Firefighter Matthew Warren and spoken word artist and anti-knife crime campaigner Quinton Green.
Organisers say the installation aims to spark difficult but vital conversations around violence, prevention and the dangers of carrying knives.
Soham Town Rangers FC chairman Jonathan James said football could be “a force for good” in highlighting the dangers knife crime poses to communities.
He said: “Knife crime, particularly among young people, is a problem across all parts of the country and we are able to play our part in highlighting the danger and impact that it has on communities.”
The project has been delivered by Soham Town Rangers Football Club in partnership with police, councils and community organisations including Cambridgeshire County Council and East Cambridgeshire District Council.
Police and Crime Commissioner Darryl Preston said the county was not immune from serious violence despite knife crime levels being lower than some other parts of the UK.
He said: “Hosting the Knife Angel will illustrate to communities, in Ely and across the wider county, the devastating effect of knife crime.
“It’s also an opportunity to engage our communities, particularly young people, to make them more aware of the risks and consequences of knife carrying.”
Alongside the installation, a knife amnesty is taking place to encourage people to safely surrender weapons.
Superintendent Paul Rogerson said every knife crime incident leaves “lasting harm on individuals, families and communities”.
He added: “By bringing the sculpture to Cambridgeshire, alongside a knife amnesty, we want to encourage people to think twice, surrender weapons safely and have honest conversations about how we prevent violence before it happens.”
A major focus during the sculpture’s stay will be education and early intervention, with secondary school visits planned for June 2, 9 and 16.
Workshops and prevention programmes will run alongside the visits, building on anti-knife crime initiatives already operating in East Cambridgeshire schools.
Lis Every, chair of the East Cambs Community Safety Partnership, described the sculpture as “very thought provoking” and said young people would benefit from seeing it first-hand.
Meanwhile, East Anglian Air Ambulance will host CPR and defibrillator training sessions throughout the visit while raising awareness of its lifesaving work.
The Knife Angel is free to visit and accessible 24 hours a day during its stay in Ely.
