A “POWERFUL” ceremony was held to reflect on the Knife Angel's time in Weston-super-Mare before it left the town last week.

The sculpture departed Weston on Thursday (May 30) after a closing ceremony.

The ceremony began at a memorial ribbon tie on the Grand Pier’s boardwalk. Attendees then took part in a short candlelit procession through the Sovereign Centre and to the Italian Gardens, where the Knife Angel stood.

The crowd then heard from four speakers: Clare Moody (Avon and Somerset police and crime commissioner), Inspector Lee Kerslake (Avon and Somerset Police), Jubriel Hanid (brother of Mikhail Hanid, who was fatally stabbed in Weston in 2020) and James Oakley (Mendip Green Primary School headteacher and a campaigner against knife crime).

Weston Mercury: Jubriel Hanid carries the Knife Torch through the Sovereign Centre alongside police and crime commissioner Clare Moody.Jubriel Hanid carries the Knife Torch through the Sovereign Centre alongside police and crime commissioner Clare Moody. (Image: North Somerset Council)

Councillor Mike Bell, leader of North Somerset Council, said: “Yesterday’s closing ceremony was a really powerful way for the local community to mark the Knife Angel’s departure from North Somerset.

“During May, around 85,000 people walked past the statue in the Italian Gardens.

“We had visitors from as far afield as America, Dubai and Germany – as well as many from the south west, too. 

“The statue’s visit was accompanied by a month of action, delivered by the North Somerset Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) and other organisations.

“Throughout May, they spoke to 4,000 secondary students across North Somerset about the Knife Angel, what the statue represents and how to report knife crime.

And 260 local students took part in Blunt Truth workshops, educating them on the dangers of knife crime and how they can report it. 

“We also ran a variety of art competitions, such as the Superheroes for Peace poster competition – where local primary school students created their own superheroes for peace.

“All the artwork created as part of Knife Angel’s visit will be going on permanent display, as part of the legacy of Knife Angel’s time with us. 

“Thank you to the over 50 volunteers who worked at the Knife Angel information hub seven days a week throughout May, providing information and support to visiting members of the public. 

“Although the statue has now left us to travel up to Sunderland, our work to tackle knife crime doesn’t stop here.

“Our Violence Reduction Partnership team will continue working closely with partner agencies to raise awareness about knife crime, educate young people and the local community, and provide support to those who need it.”