Sixteen knives have been surrendered from Darlington’s streets in the last week.
It comes as the knife angel arrived in Newton Aycliffe over the weekend bringing with it a message to surrender potential weapons.
Police confirmed 16 blades were handed in in Darlington as part of a knife surrender scheme set to continue across June.
It means anyone with a weapon can surrender it with no questions asked at the front counter of Darlington Police station by dropping it in an amnesty bin or handing it over to staff.
The surrendered knives could find themselves on the knife angel if repairs are needed, as they go to the team behind it at the British ironworks Centre.
Darlington Police said: “Last week, 16 knives were taken off the streets of Darlington as part of Operation Sceptre. We know that doesn’t solve the problem – even one knife crime is one too many. But that’s 16 fewer weapons on the streets where you live.”
Hundreds gathered to see the 27-foot sculpture, crafted out of 100,000 surrendered blades, erected in Newton Aycliffe on Saturday (May 31).
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Speaking at the unveiling Zoe McGill, whose son Jack Woodley was murdered with a knife in 2021, said: “"Knife crime doesn’t just claim lives. It leaves lasting scars on families and friends. It creates a ripple effect of fear and mistrust in our neighbourhoods. Parents worry every time their child steps out the door. Kids feel they need to carry a weapon just to feel safe.”
Zoe has spent years campaigning for the knife angel to come to the town, alongside local police sergeant Andy Boyd and the Northern Echo’s Knife Crime Taskforce.
The sculpture — its metal feathers formed from blades once destined to harm — will remain in the town centre for June.
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