The challenge of tackling knife crime here in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is a very different one than faced by police forces in other parts of the country.  

Incidents, no matter how isolated or rare, are always shocking and understandably send ripples of fear throughout communities. But, thankfully, our force area is not in the midst of a knife crime crisis.  

According to the most recent Devon & Cornwall Police data, in the 12 months to January 2026, there were 3,007 incidents of recorded knife related crime. This is similar to the number of offences recorded in the previous year where 2,995 offences were recorded.  

The police estimate that one in 2,000 people in Devon and Cornwall carry a knife. However, my office’s recent survey of young people and adults identified they worried about people carrying weapons on our streets. The more we can do to deter people from carrying a knife and show that we act to prevent their concerns the better from stop and search to education initiatives. 

The wider harms of knife crime can never be underestimated, with incidents often linked to domestic abuse, alcohol related incidents, criminal exploitation and mental health or self-harm crises. It is imperative that we help educate people around these risks and provide the support they need before things escalate.  

That is why my office, along with a contribution from the Community Safety Partnership’s Serious Violence Duty fund, has helped fund the installation of an imposing 27ft (8m) tall sculpture called Knife Angel in Plymouth. It has been created from more than 100,000 seized or surrendered blades and will be officially unveiled between the Plymouth Civic Centre and Guildhall buildings in the city centre tomorrow, March 3.  

It will be illuminated each evening and will remain there throughout March with educational events taking place throughout the month in schools across the city and also bystander intervention training to help people speak up when they witness violence, harassment or discrimination.  

The Knife Angel has visited more than 50 locations since its tour of the UK began in 2018 and has become regarded as a national monument to raise awareness of the devastating impact of knife crime and to encourage education, prevention and remembrance.  

The decision for it to be located in Plymouth does not mean the city has a knife crime problem. In fact, knife attacks remain relatively rare, but every single one that takes place is one too many.  

That’s why I am supportive of any initiative that encourages people to choose not to carry knives, to safely surrender any knives they hold, and to take part in a programme of education and community engagement designed to prevent violence and protect lives.   

Bringing it to Devon has been a collective effort between by office, Devon & Cornwall Police and Plymouth City Council, working alongside a wide range of partners including schools and multi academy trusts, youth services, domestic abuse specialists, mental health and substance misuse providers, community and voluntary groups, faith organisations and Mike’s Trust – a charity set up by the family of  murdered knife victim Michael Riddiough-Allen who died in 2023 after he was stabbed outside a nightclub in Bodmin. It is a tangible example that we don’t tolerate carrying a knife in our area and how working in collaboration can achieve longer-term impact which will continue beyond March.  

Notable efforts are being Devon & Cornwall Police to tackle knife crime. Last November, the force launched a new knife crime website called #NotTheOne which is part of a national partnership-led campaign that aims to educate 11 to 16-year-olds on the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife.   

Importantly, it also helps teachers, parents, friends and family who all play a hugely vital role in positively influencing young people’s lives and stop them being drawn into knife crime.   

Recently, the force collaborated with talented students from City College, Plymouth, to create two educational videos about knife crime made by young people for young people to bust the myth that you are safer if you carry a knife. The reality is that it’s the opposite because it actually increases your risk of harm.  

To change the alarming real and perceived knife crime culture requires early education and challenging behaviours so that we can hopefully see the number of incidents not only continue to decrease in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly but also other parts of the country.   

If you know anyone who is carrying a knife, please take action in one of the following ways:

• Report it to the police at dc.police.uk/tua  
• Knife surrender bins are permanently situated in local police stations across the region. Visit dc.police.uk/peo  
• Report anonymously to CrimeStoppers UK on 0800 555111   
• The #NotTheOne website can be found here  
• The Knife Angel website can be found here