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As Hereford bids farewell to the Knife Angel, the official figures have just come in and during the month that the National Monument Against Violence and Aggression was on display at Hereford Cathedral there were 102,000 visitors. £9,200 raised from the generosity of visitors filling the charity boxes - these funds will go toward the continuation of supplying educational resources and workshops for schools and youth organisations. Knife Angel Statue on the lorry heading back to the British Iron Works Centre in Oswestry, photo courtesy of our friend Jon Simpson (official knife Angel Hereford photographer) 284 knives, 2 guns were surrendered and there is still a surrender box at Hinton Community Centre, so we don’t know what is in there yet. Alison Davies looks at the hundreds of weapons and knives handed in. What a fabulous achievement by Alison Davies and Meryl Cain who have worked tirelessly for over 2 years just to bring the monument to Hereford. Alison Davies lost her son Mark to knife crime in December 2018 and together with Meryl Cain and a small group of friends wanted to raise awareness of the catastrophic impact violent crime has on individuals, families and communities. The team’s involvement with this project was carried out on a completely voluntary basis. The group are known as The Knife Angel Hereford Team. Hereford Voice is so proud to have been able to promote and support the Knife Angel Hereford project as an official 'Working Partner' for the many months leading up to the arrival of the statue in Hereford last month and would like to thank Alison Davies, Meryl Cain and the whole team behind the scenes for being hugely successful in highlighting the devastating impact violence has on all our lives and for boosting tourism in Hereford by bringing this fabulous statue to our city.

Today (Sunday 11 July) is the final day to see Knife Angel Hereford before it returns to The British Ironwork Centre The project has truly had a massive impact on our community - as of this weekend we are approaching 100,000 visitors, 250+ weapons have been handed in and the project has worked with over 600 schoolchildren. So many people have been involved in bringing the Knife Angel to Hereford so we have spoken to just a few members of the team to share their experiences. Knife Angel Hereford Summer 2021 | Farewell Video.mp4

Embrace Hereford | It's the last weekend before the magnificent Knife Angel Hereford leaves us. Have you visited this magnificent ‘National Monument Against Violence and Aggression’? The fabulous thought-provoking Knife Angel Hereford has had a huge impact on the city with plenty of daily visitors. Hereford Voice is so proud to have been able to promote and support the Knife Angel Hereford project for many months leading up to the arrival of the statue in Hereford last month and would like to thank Alison Davies, Meryl Cain and the whole team behind the scenes for being hugely successful in highlighting the devastating impact violence has on all our lives and for boosting tourism in Hereford by bringing this fabulous statue to our city. Even after the Angel has left us, Hereford Voice will continue to support the Knife Angel Hereford project who are hoping to continue with a programme of legacy events, so that important messages regarding the futility of violent crime are continued into the future. For further information about the Knife Angel’s visit to Hereford, please visit the website https://knifeangelhereford.co.uk/. Donate to support Knife Angel Hereford 👉 https://hfd.news/u4c #EmbraceHereford and please make time to visit this thought-provoking 'Knife Angel' statue before it leaves us. 📷 Official Knife Angel Hereford photographer Jon Simpson #herefordvoice #positivehereford #herefordnews

The 'Partnership and Sponsors' board looks fabulous in the Cathedral Close and we are looking forward to the arrival of this brilliant sculpture in Hereford on Monday! Hereford Voice is proud to be supporting Knife Angel Hereford.

After 18 months of preparation and anticipation, the Knife Angel will finally be arriving in Hereford City Centre in less than a fortnight. Also known as the National Monument Against Violence and Aggression, this magnificent 27ft statue built from 100,000 confiscated knives and blades will come to the city on Monday 14 June and will remain in place outside the West door of Hereford Cathedral until 12 July. Thanks to generous grant awards from West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner, West Mercia Police, The National Lottery Community Fund, High Sheriffs of Herefordshire (2020/1 & 2021/2), Eveson CharitableTrust, Community Safety Partnership and the Clocktower Foundation, the Knife Angel team has been able to organise an exciting range of free-to-attend events to accompany the Knife Angel’s visit and in order to stimulate discussion on the devastating impact violence has on all our lives. These include: A full day virtual conference, entitled ‘Knife Angel Hereford: Crime in 2021 – From Knowledge to Practice’ (see: HERE for further information and bookings) A comprehensive selection of workshops to be held in locations throughout Hereford City from 21 June to 11 July. Subjects range from ‘Managing post-lockdown stress’ to interactive medical workshops and creative activities. Further details of these free-to-attend events and booking information can be viewed on the Knife Angel’s website here Direct Workshop booking link: https://www.facebook.com/knifeangelhereford/events Two walks (22nd and 27th June), arranged as part of the Herefordshire Walking Festival, which include the Knife Angel as part of their route (see: https://www.herefordshirewalkingfestival.co.uk/our-walks for further information). A weapons amnesty, approved by West Mercia Police, where knives, blades and other weapons can be safely disposed. The team responsible for bringing the Knife Angel to Hereford is headed by Alison Davies, who lost her son, Mark, to knife crime in 2018, and Meryl Cain. Alison Davies comments: The Knife Angel will be located outside the cathedral and will be free to visit with no need for visitors to book in advance. Relevant precautions, including a one-way system around the Knife Angel and volunteer stewarding teams, will be in place during the day to help welcome and guide visitors. For further information about the Knife Angel’s visit to Hereford, please visit the dedicated website: https://knifeangelhereford.co.uk/

The Knife Angel (Also referred to as the National Monument Against Violence & Aggression) is a contemporary sculpture formed from 100,000 confiscated knives and is an incredible 27ft in height and weighing over 3.5 tonnes, created by artist Alfie Bradley (pictured below) and the The British Ironwork Centre based in Oswestry. This thought-provoking angel artwork is scheduled to be hosted by the magnificent Hereford Cathedral from 14 June for 28 days. Hereford Voice is proud to be a 'Working Partner' with this fabulous charity. Donations https://www.justgiving.com/knifeangelhereford About Knife Angel Hereford Alison Davies lost her son Mark Hamilton to knife crime in 2018, together with friends Meryl Cain, Pauline Strong and Jan Jefferies they decided to bring the Knife Angel to #Hereford in 2021 to help raise awareness of the catastrophic impact of violent crime on communities, families and individuals. Visit the website www.knifeangelhereford.co.uk During the Knife Angel’s visit, the Knife Angel Hereford team will run a series of workshops and interactive events. It is envisaged that this initiative will continue after the Knife Angel leaves Hereford. Another reason to Visit Herefordshire this year!

West Mercia Police is encouraging members of the public to hand-in unwanted knives as part of a national knife surrender. Monday, 26 April, saw the launch of Operation Sceptre, led by the Home Office, to help tackle knife crime. Levels of knife crime in the towns and cities covered by West Mercia Police are relatively low in comparison to other parts of the country, however, its vital work to help keep these levels low. In order to help, police are encouraging members of the public to hand-in unwanted knives to prevent them from getting into the wrong hands and being used in crime. Throughout the week officers will be working to raise awareness of the dangers of carrying a knife and speaking to children and young people where possible. Surrender bins will be in place at key locations such as train stations and local schools to highlight the steps police are taking to prevent people from carrying a knife in public. Warrants will be carried out at addresses where there is information to suggest someone in the home may be involved in knife crime, or crime associated with knives such as county lines drug dealing. Community sweeps will take place bringing whole communities together to clear areas of discarded sharp objects that could potentially be used as a weapon. West Mercia Police’s knife crime lead and head of local policing, Chief Superintendent Paul Moxley, said: “Fortunately, we do not experience the same levels of knife crime in our towns and cities as has been seen in other parts of the country, however that does not mean we are complacent. We know it does happen and it is important we take the appropriate steps to prevent young people from carrying a knife and prevent crimes involving knives. “We have recently invested in ten additional police officers to specifically take on an early intervention and intervention role with children and young people across of three counties. Early intervention is vital and for the past two years our successful ‘Steer Clear’ programme has helped young people involved in, or on the periphery of being involved in, knife crime find an alternative route and we are developing this as a programme to roll out across the force area. “One knife incident is one too many and the more we can do to stop knives getting into the wrong hands and being used in crime the better.” During Operation Sceptre which will run until Monday 3 May, unwanted knives can be disposed of anonymously in secure knife bins at Hereford, Worcester, Redditch, Kidderminster, Malinsgate and Monkmoor Police Stations. Each policing area will also have a Knife Arch which will be in place at key locations such as train stations and local schools to highlight the steps police are taking to prevent people from carrying a knife in public. Anyone who is concerned a young person is involved in or on the periphery of becoming involved in knife crime and carrying a knife can report this anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. More information for young people about the stark consequences of knife crime can be found at www.fearless.org where concerns can also be reported anonymously.

The Knife Angel (Also referred to as the National Monument Against Violence & Aggression) is a contemporary sculpture formed from 100,000 confiscated knives and is an incredible 27ft in height and weighing over 3.5 tonnes, created by artist Alfie Bradley and the The British Ironwork Centre based in Oswestry. This thought-provoking angel artwork is scheduled to be hosted by the magnificent Hereford Cathedral from 14 June for 28 days. Hereford Voice is proud to be a 'Working Partner' with this fabulous charity. Donations https://www.justgiving.com/knifeangelhereford About Knife Angel Hereford Alison Davies lost her son Mark Hamilton to knife crime in 2018, together with friends Meryl Cain, Pauline Strong and Jan Jefferies they decided to bring the Knife Angel to #Hereford in 2021 to help raise awareness of the catastrophic impact of violent crime on communities, families and individuals. Please visit the website www.knifeangelhereford.co.uk During the Knife Angel’s visit, the Knife Angel Hereford team will run a series of workshops and interactive events. It is envisaged that this initiative will continue after the Knife Angel leaves Hereford. Another reason to #VisitHerefordshire this year!

The Knife Angel Hereford project has been honoured with a £5,000 award from The High Sheriff of Herefordshire. This is fantastic news for this wonderful charity. Hereford Voice is proud to be a 'working partner' with the Knife Angel Hereford project. About Knife Angel Hereford Alison Davies lost her son Mark Hamilton to knife crime in 2018, together with friends Meryl Cain, Pauline Strong and Jan Jefferies they decided to bring the Knife Angel to Hereford in 2021to help raise awareness of the catastrophic impact of violent crime on communities, families and individuals. www.knifeangelhereford.co.uk knifeangelhereford@gmail.com What is the Plan? The Knife Angel is coming to Hereford in June 2021 for 28 Days, hosted by Hereford Cathedral. During the Knife Angel’s visit we will run a series of workshops and interactive events. It is envisaged that this initiative will continue after the Knife Angel leaves Hereford. The majority of host towns & cities to date have had a knife amnesty whilst the Angel is in situ. We will have a general weapons amnesty, with the approval of West Mercia Police. There is a “knife surrender” secure bin which travels with the Angel. Donate If you would like to donate please follow this link to donate via JustGiving Bank Transfer Please send your BACS transfer to: Nat West Bank Account name: Knife Angel Hereford Account no: 62399004 Sort code: 53-50-41 Cheque Mail a cheque made payable to: “Knife Angel Hereford” to: Knife Angel Hereford c/o Alison Davies 1 Lilac cottage Clehonger HR2 9SL Charity ref no: 06100002398