Knife Angel Art Competition

PCC launches youth art competition as Knife Angel comes to Hertfordshire

Young people across Hertfordshire are being invited to get creative and take part in a new art competition with submissions opening on the 1^st October to mark the arrival of the Knife Angel in Welwyn Garden City.

The 27-foot monument, built from over 100,000 knives and blades seized from Britain’s streets, is touring the country to shine a spotlight on the devastating impact of knife crime.

To coincide with its month-long stay, Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards has launched a countywide youth art competition in partnership with Hertfordshire Constabulary and Leaders Unlocked, who run the PCC’s Youth Commission.

The contest gives children and young people aged up to 25 the chance to share their feelings about knife crime through art, poetry or music. There are two categories – one for primary school-aged entrants, and another for secondary school-aged and older entrants - with winners chosen by public vote after a shortlisting process. The winning entries will be displayed locally in Hertfordshire as a legacy for the Knife Angel and celebrated at the Commissioner’s Youth Commission Conference on.

Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards says,

"Knife crime destroys lives — even one incident is one too many. Hertfordshire is a low-knife crime county, but we can never be complacent. The Knife Angel is a powerful reminder of what’s at stake, and a chance to start conversations that really matter."

"This competition is about giving young people a voice. I want them to use their creativity to show how knife crime makes them feel and why it’s so important to make positive choices. I can’t wait to see the powerful ideas and messages that come through their work."

The competition is open to Hertfordshire residents/pupils aged up to 25. Entries can be painting, drawing, music, poetry, or digital art. The deadline for submissions is 7^th November. To take part visit https://www.herts-pcc.gov.uk/getting-involved/how-to-get-involved/knife-angel-art-competition/ for details and the application form.

Submissions will be shortlisted by the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable on the 20^th November and shortlisted entries will appear on the Commissioner’s website to be put to a public vote throughout December.

Winners will be announced in January and will be celebrated at the Commissioner’s Youth Commission conference on the 29^th January.

The Knife Angel arrives in Welwyn Garden City town centre on October 1^st and departs on October 30^th. Readers are encouraged to attend the ‘opening ceremony’ on Oct 1^st, and to visit the Knife Angel while it’s situated in the town centre on Howardsgate.  

For more information please contact:

Rachel Stone, Hertfordshire PCC

Tel: 0794 9279782

Email: [email protected]