Let us know if you have been a victim or witnessed hate or knife crime

Residents will be able to talk confidentially with the police and council officers about hate or knife crime this Thursday.

They will be at the Knife Angel from 10am-1pm with advice, guidance and information with a representative from the LGBT forum also there from 11am-noon.

The Knife Angel is a 27ft sculpture made of 100,000 knives and is in the town until 27th March and can be found by Bob and Berts close to The Rock Shopping Centre.

It’s a national monument, touring the country, specifically created to highlight the negative effects of violent behaviour and be a positive symbol for change.

Bringing the Knife Angel to the town is being led by the Bury BID (Business Improvement District) with Bury Council and Greater Manchester Police.

A programme of educational events, workshops and community events are taking place throughout March working with young people and how they can make a positive difference.

Councillor Richard Gold, Cabinet Member for Communities and Finance said: “Bury is one of the safest boroughs in Greater Manchester but sadly incidents do occur.

“When they do, as last week, we have a strong partnership response to safeguard individuals and communities.

“It’s not just about the Knife Angel being here. We are using the opportunity to educate and raise awareness to deter people from putting themselves and others in danger.

“As part of that programme residents with experience of knife crime or any form of hate crime can come and speak to officers and get help and support.

“It is the Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and no one should suffer hate crime whoever they are whether it’s because of race, gender, sexuality or other characteristic.”

Bury BID’s Town Centre Director, Nigel Shields, emphasised the significance of a multi-agency and partnership approach in promoting safety and engagement in local communities, stating:

“The collaboration among various agencies underscores our commitment to creating a safer environment. By working together, we can effectively address the complex issue of knife crime and empower young people, families, schools and members of our community to become agents of positive change.”

Prevention and awareness work taking place includes drama, cooking, football and art sessions with children, young people and students from Bury College and:

• Knife Angel Street Art: Friday 22 March. Children and young people will produce their own piece of street art, to be a collaborative mural for display.

• Manchester Survivors Choir will be performing at the Knife Angel from 2.30pm on Friday 22 March.

Pictured are councillors and council representatives at the Knife Angel (picture courtesy of Julia Uttley Juttley.co.uk)