Surrended Knives to be Turned into Tribute for Victims
The haul of knives handed in to West Yorkshire police during the latest weapons surrender is being made into a sculpture to pay tribute to victims of knife crime.
More than 150 knives and swords were taken off our streets in just 10 days.
They'll be added to weapons gathered from around the country to create the piece of art, which will be unveiled in Trafalgar Square in April.
“It’s going to be inspirational and I’m sure it’s going to put what were weapons that could have harmed into something that gives hope for the future,” says DCI Paul Fountain from West Yorkshire Police.
“We had everything from axes, machetes, swords… one in particular was almost from a Hollywood set with serrated edges and spikes on the wrist guard.
“Absolutely horrendous, and they’ve only got one purpose, which is to hurt people.”
The statue is to be sculpted by Alfie Bradley as part of the Save a Life, Surrender Your Knife campaign.
It’s designed to represent love and hope, while honouring people that have lost their lives to knife and street crime.
“Other forces took part in the surrender as well and I think it’s absolutely fantastic,” says DCI Fountain.
“Something that can kill is going to be used to actually inspire people not to do that in the future.”