A national monument to highlight the dangers of knife crime is coming to Newton Aycliffe for the first time.
The Knife Angel – constructed using 100,000 seized blades and weighing in at 3.5tonnes – will officially be installed in the town on June 1, 2025.
The sculpture was created by artist Alfie Bradley, from The British Ironwork Centre.
Using blunted blades handed in during knife amnesties held by police forces across the country, the angel has been helping to start crucial conversations about the negative effect of violence and particularly knife crime since it began touring the country in 2018.
But it is particularly poignant for Newton Aycliffe after one of the town’s teenagers, Jack Woodley, lost his life to knife crime in 2021.
The 18-year-old was attending a funfair in Houghton-le-Spring when he was attacked by ten other teenagers and stabbed.
Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, Jack sadly passed away in hospital.
The ten teenagers were found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Since then, Jack’s mum, Zoe McGill, has been working with Newton Aycliffe Neighbourhood Policing Team sergeant Andy Boyd, to add her story to workshops delivered by Sgt Boyd to thousands of schoolchildren in the town.
Ms McGill said she hoped the arrival of the Knife Angel would further bring home the message that knife crime devastates families.
“We feel truly honoured to be bringing the Knife Angel to Jack’s hometown and I know Jack would be so proud of the efforts of those who helped make it happen,” she added.
“Sadly, not every knife crime incident is reported until it becomes another statistic and too little too late.
“That statistic is felt so much more to the victim’s loved ones and family for the rest of their lives, and the ripple effect is never known to those who have been fortunate enough to not have lost a loved one.
“I am hoping and praying the Knife Angel stops such a tragedy ever coming to Jack’s home town.
“The grief of losing a loved one to this senseless crime is too much too bare and I feel we need to somehow connect with the public and our younger generation in order to help them feel our pain through Jack’s story so they never want to carry a knife again . If we can save even one family from this pain that is enough.”
Anyone caught with a knife can face up to four years in prison.
Sgt Boyd added: “Delivering educational packages in our schools has been a passion of the Neighbourhood Police Team for a number of years now to keep our kids safe.
“Although we don’t have a huge problem with knife crime in Newton Aycliffe, it is so important to get ahead of the curve to prevent rises in violent behaviour.
“Zoe has been so brave in adding Jacks story to our presentations which lets our kids know just how impactive this type of crime has on family, friends and community.
“When she reached out to us with regards to bringing Knife Angel to Newton Aycliffe, we were only too happy oblige.”
The sculpture will be installed in the town centre’s mall throughout June with a whole calendar of activities planned for the community.
Schoolchildren will also be invited to get involved with special visits to the angel and poster and photography competitions also planned.
To find out more about the Knife Angel visit britishironworkcentre.co.uk/knife-angel