Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn brought the Knife Angel to Aberystwyth in June 2022
The Knife Angel - also known as the National Monument Against Violence & Aggression - is a very impressive sculpture made from over 100,000 knives, created by the British Ironwork Centre in Shropshire.
The sculpture has been touring the UK to raise awareness of knife crime and how it affects communities, families and individuals.
When?
1 – 29 June 2022
An Opening Ceremony was held on the morning of the 1st of June, and a Closing Ceremony followed by a candlelit vigil was held on the evening of the 29th of June.
Where?
Llys y Brenin Square, Aberystwyth
Why?
Police and Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llywelyn, has brought the Knife Angel to Aberystwyth to raise awareness of knife crime and the impact it can have.
Key prevention, anti-violence and anti-aggression messages were shared through educating children, young people, and adults about the harmful effects that violent behaviour has on our communities. In doing so, we hoped to prevent violent behaviour and divert people away from violence as a solution for solving disputes.
Whilst there has been a 105% increase in knife crime in Wales over the last decade, please be assured that the Knife Angel had not been brought to Aberystwyth because of any major problem with this kind of crime in the area. We do acknowledge however, that knife crimes have taken place here within the last year – 26 of the 67 Ceredigion-based knife crimes. Worryingly, a small number of these involved suspects under the age of 18.
Prevention of crime and diversion away from crime is essential. We hope that the Knife Angel has greatly assisted us in raising critical awareness of knife crime whilst creating a widespread intolerance to violent behaviour within our communities.
We involved children and young people from across Aberystwyth and neighbouring areas, as well as community groups and organisations, who got involved in some of the activities that took place during the visit.
For further details and infromation, please email; OPCC.Communication@dyfed-powys.police.uk
