Knife crime has always been a big problem in Sheffield. In the past 5 years alone the rates of crime committed with a knife has risen by 63%.

Not enough is being done to mitigate this problem, which is why we at Sheff Line, a student run news organisation, are petitioning for Sheffield City Council and the South Yorkshire Police to let Sheffield host the Knife Angel to raise awareness about this worrying issue.

The Knife Angel, also known as the National Monument Against Violence & Aggression, is a 20ft tall sculpture created entirely from seized blades. The Angel was specifically designed to create social change by helping to raise better awareness of how violent and aggressive behaviour effects our communities, by educating and encouraging youth to renounce violence as a means to solve problems, and by acting as a memorial for those lives lost to these unnecessary actions.

Along with the monument comes a chance for young people and adults to participate in anti-violence workshops, where they have the opportunity to be deputised as national anti-violence champions. This allows them to learn how to influence their social circle to use non violent methods to settle differences and even earn certificates for it.

This great initiative has cost other counties next to nothing, with some even making money from it's arrival.

There really is no down side to hosting the Knife Angel in Sheffield and it would be a massive benefit to the community at large.

Please sign the petition to make this great bring this great intiative to Sheffield.