Knife Angel is backdrop to Perth seminar on violence

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A seminar on knife crime and tackling violence took place in Perth yesterday to coincide with the city being the first in Scotland to host the striking Knife Angel statue.

The Perth Concert Hall event was organised following the arrival of 27ft high statue made of 100,000 seized knives and other bladed weapons last week.

Also known as the National Monument Against Violence and Aggression, the Knife Angel was created by the British Ironworks Centre and has been touring England and Wales since 2018. It will be on display on King Edward Street, outside Perth Museum, until January.

The Knife Angel installation has been praised by the mum of tragic Perth knife crime victim Cammy Rae (20) who died after being stabbed in a city flat in April 2023.

Kerry Burgess said: “I pray and hope [the Knife Angel] gets attention from those carrying knives. My poor boy should be here today. It’s clear that carrying knives is not okay.”

Cammy’s killer Caleb Ferguson (20) was handed a life sentence last month for murdering Cammy.

He was ordered to serve at least 16 years before being eligible for parole.

Perth and Kinross school pupils will visit the Knife Angel this month for projects relating to violence and knife crime.

Speakers at Monday’s Perth event included Kris MacPherson and Kevin Neary from the charity Aid and Abet, a charity which supports those who have been involved in the criminal justice system in order to prevent re-offending.

Other speakers included Sheriff Kathrine Mackie, Donald Tumilowicz from Fearless, the youth service of Crimestoppers, and Miruna Paduraru from Victim Support Scotland.

Councillor Tom McEwan, convener of Perth and Kinross Council’s housing and social wellbeing committee, said: “There has been a hugely positive response to the Knife Angel and its aims since it arrived in Perth.

“Today’s seminar is a chance for people to explore more fully some of the issues surrounding knife crime and what measures we can take to stop people carrying and using blades.

“The Knife Angel is an extremely powerful piece of art but it is important we continue to work with people in all of our communities to address knife crime.

“Sadly, this is an issue that affects communities right across the UK. The more work that can be done to raise awareness of the costs of knife crime – both to victims and their families and the perpetrators of violence – the better.”

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