Knife Angel sculpture installed at Coventry Cathedral

A sculpture dedicated to victims of knife crime has been temporarily installed at Coventry Cathedral.

The 27ft (8m) Knife Angel sculpture is made from 100,000 blades handed into police across the country.

It was unveiled in 2017 and was displayed in Liverpool and Hull before arriving in Coventry.

Artist Alfie Bradley, who created the sculpture at the British Ironworks Centre, said it was a "monument against violence and aggression".

The Bishop of Coventry, Rt Rev Dr Christopher Cocksworth, said the Knife Angel was "a stark reminder of a form of violent crime infecting our city and threatening lives with great danger, especially our young people".

Messages from families of the victims of knife crime have been engraved on the sculpture's wings.

Mr Bradley, who created it at the British Ironworks Centre in Oswestry, Shropshire, said it was "a memorial to those whose lives have been affected by knife crime".

The sculpture will be displayed in Coventry until 23 April.

The number of crimes related to knives and other offensive weapons dealt with by the courts reached its highest level for nine years last year, figures released on Thursday show.

The Ministry of Justice said 21,484 offences were dealt with in England and Wales in 2018 - the highest number since 2009 (25,103).

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