LONDON, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- An angel made from 100,000 knives confiscated by police forces across Britain has gone on display at Liverpool's world famous cathedral.
The Angel of Knives by artist Alfie Bradley will be on show outside the Britain's biggest church over the Christmas New Year and holiday period.
Created from thousands of knives seized or handed in to police stations across the country, the 8.3 meter-high sculpture aims to raise awareness for knife crime in a year that has seen an escalation of stabbings and knife-related killings in Britain.
It took the sculptor more than a year to build the Angel of Knives at the British Ironworks Center, and it is already attracting large crowds to the cathedral where it will be displayed close to the main entrance until the end of January.
Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool said: "Sadly scarcely a day goes by without hearing another tragic story of knife crime. Through hosting the Knife Angel at Liverpool Cathedral we want to show solidarity with the victims of this crime and make a powerful statement to everyone who comes to visit.
"As people encounter the artwork, we hope this helps them make sense of the issues it raises by coming in, lighting a candle or reflecting in one of our chapels. We will continue to pray for peace in our city and beyond.
"As well as standing alongside all those affected by knife crime we want to urge those who carry knives to recognise the pain they cause themselves and others as we work to a day when we truly see peace in our streets."
Dozens of the knives are engraved with messages from families affected by knife crime.
Local media reported the idea to bring the Angel of Knives to Liverpool was put forward by Rob Jackson, an emergency room nurse at the city's main hospital where he has spent years educating young people in schools about the dangers of knives.
The aim is to later erect the statue in London's Trafalgar Square to highlight the record number of stabbings, shootings and murders in the British capital this year.
