Students have created a powerful piece of artwork to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Knife Angel’s visit to Lichfield which was organised by Lichfield District Council.
The students, from South Staffordshire College’s Lichfield Campus, were inspired by the anti-violence message of the statue - constructed from 100,000 blades handed in nationally during amnesties or seized by Police - which was stationed next to District Council House in Frog Lane throughout July 2023.
Part of a campaign run by Lichfield District Council’s Community Safety Team and supported by members of the Community Safety Partnership, the statue was visited by more than 1,000 schoolchildren and as many pledges and messages were written and tied around its security fence.
The student artwork is a representation of the Knife Angel and is currently displayed in the foyer of Lichfield’s Tesco Extra store in Church Street, where one of four knife bins for depositing blades has been situated for the past 12 months.
The campaign, aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of knife crime, has seen more than 1,000 blades collected from knife bins, 29 Bleed kits purchased and distributed across Lichfield and Burntwood and 101 people trained in their use.
Lichfield District Cabinet’s Member for Community Engagement, Councillor Richard Cox, said:
“The students’ artwork is a powerful reminder of the Knife Angel’s anti-violence message.
“Knife crime continues to destroy lives and although Lichfield District is one of the safest in the region, we must not be complacent.
“The Knife Angel raised awareness through Lichfield District Council Community Safety Team’s campaign which conveyed the dangers of carrying blades. The students’ artwork reinforces the message and is a fitting commemoration of the anniversary.
“I wish to thank them for their brilliant artwork, and Tesco for displaying it and supporting the campaign by hosting a knife bin.”
Lichfield District Council’s Principal Community Safety Officer Yvonne James said:
“Thank you to the students at South Staffordshire College, Lichfield Campus for creating such amazing artwork to commemorate the year anniversary of the Knife Angel being in Lichfield District.
“The Knife Angel spent all of July 2023 here and was the symbol of the National Anti-Knife and Anti-Violence Campaign run by the Lichfield District Community Safety Partnership.
“This campaign is ongoing, the fight against knife crime and violence cannot be resolved by one person. Communities and services need to work together to make our district a safer place.”
Art and Design Lecturer at South Staffordshire College Helen Plester said:
“The Students on the Art & Design Diploma Course have really enjoyed taking on the challenge of producing art and using some newly learned techniques in creating their personal responses to the symbolic Knife Angel and all it represents.
"Thank you for the opportunity given by Lichfield District Council. The students have learned much about the topic and have a deeper understanding of the fight against knife crime, as well as creating significant art towards their work experience course requirement.”
The manager of Lichfield’s Tesco Extra store, David Harmon, added:
“I am really delighted that we have been able to host the Knife Angel artwork.
“We hope this will have a big impact on everyone who sees it, and we are pleased to be able to continue our support for this very important campaign.”