A SCULPTURE which aims to raise awareness of the negative effects of violence and aggression will be in Somerset next month as part of a nationwide tour.

The Knife Angel stands 27 ft tall, weighs 3.5 tonnes, and was designed by artist Alfie Bradley at the British Ironwork Centre using 100,000 knives and blades retrieved from amnesty bins from across all 43 UK police forces.

Since its completion in 2018, the statue has been validated by The Home Office as the National Monument Against Violence and Aggression.

The month-long placement outside the Market House in Taunton is being supported by Somerset anti-violence campaigner Adam Fouracre, who is the CEO of the charity Stand Against Violence, and the Barnaby Webber Foundation.

A short civic ceremony will be held at the site on Wednesday, April 3 at 1pm, when Emma Webber – mother of 19-year-old Barnaby, who tragically died after a knife attack in Nottingham – will speak to officially unveil the Knife Angel, together with local representatives and British Ironwork Centre chairman, Clive Knowles.

Somerset Council and Taunton Town Council are supporting and encouraging a 30-day campaign of anti-conflict awareness raising with schools, community groups and local businesses.

Adam Fouracre founded Stand Against Violence after his brother, Lloyd died due to a violent attack in Taunton in 2005.

He said: “It is a terrific opportunity to be involved in supporting the Knife Angel project in Somerset where my brother lost his life to mindless violence.

“The Knife Angel doesn’t just represent the victims who have lost their lives to knife attacks but to all victims of violent acts.

“We still have a long way to go to see an end to violence in this country, but it begins with awareness and education - something that we hope the Knife Angel will bring and that we can absolutely support."

The Webber family have also welcomed the arrival of the Knife Angel.

Barnaby’s mum Emma said: “We are still trying to process the devastating loss of our beautiful boy.

“The cruel and senseless way that he was taken from us and denied his bright future, hurts every single day.

“Violent crimes, especially knife crime, are at an epidemic level in our country and are something that must be addressed urgently.

“We are glad to offer any support that we can in ensuring this impactful, important and educational visit serves its purpose.

“We are deeply touched at how the people of Somerset have supported us during the past tragic months and are grateful that funds raised will also be supporting the foundation that we have created in Barnaby’s name.”

Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, lead member for Communities, Housing and Culture at Somerset Council, said: “I championed the Knife Angel to come to Somerset as it is a hugely powerful work of art which serves both as a memorial to victims of violence and as a catalyst for social change across the UK.

“I know that it will encourage me to have conversations with my children and I hope that it encourages others to discuss and educate themselves and their loved ones on this important matter.

“While Somerset remains a safe place to live with relatively low levels of knife crime, we fully support the aims of the sculpture and strongly condemn all forms of violence.

“We hope the presence of the Knife Angel in Somerset during April will help raise awareness of an important national issue.”

Cllr Tom Deakin, leader of Taunton Town Council, said: “Taunton Town Council is proud to support the temporary installation of the Knife Angel sculpture in the town centre.

“There are a number of local organisations, some with their origins in very tragic circumstances, already undertaking fantastic outreach work in the field of anti-violence education and raising awareness of the impact of aggression and violent crime on the community.

“The presence of the Knife Angel in the county will reinforce the great work that they do and bring it to a wider audience; we encourage as many people as possible to visit it and start conversations of their own at home and in school.”

The sculpture will move to Weston-super-Mare on April 30, to be hosted by neighbouring North Somerset Council throughout May.

The Knife Angel in Somerset is supported by Somerset Council, Taunton Town Council, Avon and Somerset Police, Barnaby Webber Foundation, British Ironwork Centre, Crimestoppers, Go Create, Taunton Independent Market, Stand Against Violence and Taunton Minster.

A Somerset Council spokesperson said: “We’re pleased to have the support of many partners and local businesses from across Somerset, which continues to grow.”