Youth violence statue to be unveiled

Luisa Di Marco (left), founder of Keep It 100 Youth CIC, has worked on a new statue with the creator of the Knife Angel (not pictured)

A statue dedicated to the "education and reflection on all forms of youth violence" is to be unveiled later.

Titled I am Love, the statue stands 15ft (4.6m) tall and will be placed in Frank Whitmore Green, Chelmsford.

It has been the brainchild of Luisa Di Marco and made in collaboration with Alfie Bradley, the artist behind the Knife Angel sculpture.

The statue is being unveiled at 19:00 BST.

Standing at 27ft (8m) high, the Knife Angel was first unveiled in 2017 and travels across the country to raise awareness

Ms Marco is the founder of Keep It 100 Youth CIC, which is a platform designed to help under 25 year olds.

"I am Love is a message of empowerment," she said. "Through this sculpture, we want to inspire young people to make positive choices."

The project was brought to life after extensive youth consultation, including understanding how young people felt about the Knife Angel, which was first unveiled in 2017.

Mr Bradley said: "Having created the Knife Angel, I have seen its impact across the country, and this initiative extends that work, delivering a permanent message starting in Essex.

"This sculpture is a place for education and reflection."

The new sculpture contains knives collected as part of a knife amnesty in Essex along with a feather windchime, with the feathers painted by young people during workshops.