Police and council vow to tackle knife crime in Milton Keynes
Later in the year, a 27ft "knife angel" will visit the city to draw attention to the issue
Thames Valley Police, the PCC, Milton Keynes Council, and MK Dons are calling on the community to help them tackle knife crime, as well as other forms of violent aggression such as domestic abuse, hate crime, and bullying.
While their efforts will culminate in a month of action in December they're asking schools, volunteer groups, places of worship, local businesses, and others to get in touch now and be part of the stand against violence in all forms.
27ft "Knife Angel" to visit the city
The details of the month of action are yet to all be finalised but it has been confirmed that the city will host the National Monument Against Violence and Aggression, outside Stadium MK.
Created by the British Ironwork Centre, the "Knife Angel" is a 27ft sculpture made out of approximately 100,000 bladed weapons. The weapons themselves have been collected in knife amnesty bins up and down the country.
In addition to the angel there will also be a candlelit procession to remember those lost to knife crime and a series of other events and activities.
"We want to prevent those crimes from happening before they take place"
When asked why the city is doing this, Leader at Milton Keynes Council, Pete Marland, said, "by investing in prevention, investing in education, we want to prevent those crimes from happening before they take place.
"So Milton Keynes continues to be a safe place for people to live and want to invest and work and come."
"We have been effected by knife crime"
Chief Inspector Ewan Livingston echoed his sentiments adding, "we have been effected by knife crime and listening to our communities they rightly ask what are we doing about knife crime.
"This is a proactive opportunity to include the community, include the groups who want to be heard, to make a tangible difference doing forward."
More details about the month of action will be revealed closer to the time.