Stunning sculpture highlights the horror of knife crime

The shock of some crimes changes people in ways they would never have imagined, and knife crime is among the most shocking. This month I saw the consequences of this brutal crime when families from Sunderland joined with others to welcome the Knife Angel to the region. This genuinely stunning sculpture can be disturbing, but it reflects hope. I was proud to back the families bringing the Knife Angel to the North East, and for my Northumbria Violence Reduction Unit to support the wonderful Samantha’s Legacy on the month-long project. Northumbria

is a safe place to live, but we have seen too many times the way crime can impact on us. Incidents such as the tragic deaths of Connor Brown and Nikki Allan should act as a stark reminder to people about the effects knife crime can have and the grief it can cause. We know we need to work together on tackling this, and having families such as the Browns in attendance once again reaffirm the need to prevent future families suffering a loss.

The pain knife crime can cause families was laid bare at the opening ceremony – where families from across the region who have lost a loved one to violence gathered to officially welcome the Knife Angel. What really stood out was how those families found strength after their loss. They were people just like you or I, getting on with their day to day life, and then, through horror, became campaigners and educators and leaders. Without question the Knife Angel has had the desired impact on the region – more than 1,300 young people from 50 schools have been educated on the dangers of carrying a knife, and told the heartfelt story of Samantha Madgin by her mother and sister. I have seen teenagers cry listening to a mother talk of her loss, and marvelled at the strength it must take to relive that crime over and over again, just so that someone else is spared the same grief.

Visitors have come to the area to pay tribute and witness the striking monument for themselves – generating important discussions about what leads to people feeling they need to carry a knife.

I was honoured to be part of this project, and can’t thank the families enough for the work they have done in raising awareness and telling their story. My Violence Reduction Unit will continue tackling this issue and making sure people never feel they are in a position where they decide to carry a knife.