Public invited to vote in Police and Crime Commissioner’s Knife Angel Art Competition

Hertfordshire residents are being invited to have their say as public voting opens for the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Knife Angel Art Competition, a project created to support young people to speak out against knife crime through powerful, positive artwork. 

The competition, launched alongside the Knife Angel’s visit to Welwyn Garden City in October, saw young people, schools, youth groups and community organisations across the county send in paintings, sculptures, poetry and mixed-media pieces that were all inspired by the themes of hope, choice and the impact of knife crime. 

There was a shortlisting phase, and three finalists were picked to go to the public vote.  

Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire said: 

“It was inspiring to see how many young people engaged with the Knife Angel coming to Hertfordshire and the art competition gave them the opportunity to express their feelings in a meaningful and creative way. It wasn’t easy for the panel to shortlist the entries.  The quality of the work has been outstanding.  I’m delighted that residents can now help choose the winner, it’s a very tough decision. 

“Knife crime destroys lives. But when young people lead the conversation, they help us reach others in a way no policy document ever could. This competition shines a light on their voices, their creativity and their commitment to keeping each other safe.” 

From today, residents can view a shortlist of entries online and vote for their favourite piece until voting closes at 4pm on Monday 5th January 2026. The piece with the highest number of votes will be declared the winner and will be displayed in a location in Hertfordshire as a legacy to the Knife Angel and the impact it had on the county’s young people.  

Every resident is encouraged to take part by clicking on this link: Knife Angel Art Competition - Vote for your Favourite!

The competition forms part of the PCC’s wider work to prevent knife crime and support young people to make safe choices. His Youth Commission have worked tirelessly this year to give schools and youth groups a creative way to explore the issue through education, awareness campaigns and engagement to put the voice of the county’s young people at the heart of conversations around knife crime and the safety of young people. 

All the finalists will be invited to a conference at the end of the January to take part in the big conversations as the Youth Commission summarises its work to the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Chief Constable, senior police chiefs and community leaders from across the county.  

For more information please contact: 

Rachel Stone, Hertfordshire PCC  

Tel: 0794 9279782  

Email: [email protected]  

Please visit our website at: www.hertscommissioner.org