A STATUE made out of knives seized by police forces across Britain is to be displayed in Bradford in West Yorkshire.

The exhibition comes after it was revealed that the city and neighbouring Leeds, Halifax and Huddersfield have suffered 24 knife murders in the last decade.

The 27-foot Knife Angel was made by sculptor Alfie Bradley at the British Ironworks Centre in Oswestry in Shropshire and is on a nationwide tour across more than 30 towns and cities across Britain.

It will be displayed in Bradford in April for Anti-Violence Month.

Councillor Abdul Jabar, portfolio holder for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety at Bradford Council, said: “Knife crime and violence are a scourge on the country, causing devastation to individuals and their families.

“Anything we can do to raise awareness and implement preventative measures in order to reduce instances of violent aggression and knife crime will be extremely beneficial to our city and its residents.”

The most recent stabbing victim in the district was 17-year-old Harley Brown who was attacked in the early hours of Monday, February 20 in Huddersfield.

Two young men aged 14 and 16 have been charged with his murder.

Other victims included teacher Ann Maguire, 61, who was stabbed by a 16-year-old youth while she was teaching a class at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds in 2014.

A partnership of Bradford organisations will run awareness raising education sessions in schools, arts awards and a photography competition during the Knife Angel’s visit.