Closing vigil marks end of Knife Angel in Gloucester

An anti-knife campaigner has said a sculpture that aims to highlight the dangers of knife crime has led to more young people surrendering their weapons.

It comes as a vigil was held to mark the end of the Knife Angel statue being on display in Gloucester.

The 27ft sculpture is made from over 100,000 seized blades.

Jasper Taitt-Williams, from Put the Knives Down Gloucester, said it has opened the eyes of the community.

"A lot of people didn't really understand how bad knife crime actually is [before the Knife Angel]," Mr Taitt-Williams said.

"Having the Knife Angel here for people to see, to share about, the word has just got out and there's a lot more awareness on it now, which is a brilliant feeling."

The sculpture is on a national tour and has been standing outside Gloucester Cathedral for the past month. It will now move to Guildford Cathedral in Surrey.

Viv Clifford, whose grandson, 16-year-old Ramarni Crosby, was stabbed to death in Gloucester in 2021, agreed the sculpture has made an impact on the city.

"I think it has been huge, when you listen to how many people have visited it, and seeing the kids and seeing the conversations they are having with adults, I think it has been massive," she said.

"I think it will make a difference, I'm hoping it will. It is keeping up the momentum."

Mr Taitt-Williams said that in the past year he has collected close to 400 knives from across the county.

But he said around 50 of these were just in the past month - while Knife Angel has been in place - which he said has helped to encourage young people to ask how and when they can drop knives off.

During the vigil the families of Mr Crosby and Hollie Gazzard, who was killed in the salon where she worked in 2014, gave speeches.

A two-minute silence was also held to remember the victims of knife crime.

Mr Taitt-Williams said having Knife Angel in Gloucester and allowing conversations with these families to take place was "gut wrenching" but really important.

"It is allowing them to have their voice," he said.

"And for those who have never experienced anything, they are able to see it from their view."

The vigil coincided with the final Run for Ramarni, which have been held in memory of Mr Crosby.

Mr Crosby's uncle, Danny Davis, has been raising money through a month of 3.1 mile (5km) runs through Gloucester.

The Ramarni Trust, which was set up by the family, has raised more than £32,000 so far.

Ms Clifford said she hopes the runs will happen again.

"I don't want his name to be forgotten, because I want Gloucester to remember him," she said.

"And that might stop a kid from picking up a knife and taking it out, because we all know the chances are if you carry a knife, you may use it."

Community groups are now hoping the visit from the Knife Angel will lead to more conversations with young people about knife crime and will be part of a positive legacy for the city.

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