Mum of teen stabbed in Northampton to mark Knife Angel anniversary

The Knife Angel is made from more than 100,000 knives and other bladed objects

The mother of a teenager who was fatally stabbed is to mark the second anniversary of the Knife Angel's visit to the town where he died.

The sculpture, made from 100,000 knives to highlight the impact of violent crime, was in Northampton in May 2022.

Cheri Curran will speak at a candlelit vigil to commemorate the visit and remember victims of violent crime.

Her 17-year-old son, Louis-Ryan Menezes, was attacked in Northampton in 2018.

Cheri Curran, the mother of knife victim Louis-Ryan Menezes, will speak at the vigil on 17 May

The 27ft tall (8m) Knife Angel was made from knives and other bladed objects confiscated or surrendered during knife amnesties.

It has appeared in dozens of towns and cities to promote its anti-violence message. In 2022, it visited Northampton, Wellingborough and Corby.

The Knife Angel sculpture spent a fortnight outside All Saints Church in Northampton in May 2022

West Northamptonshire Council has picked 17 May as the date for the second anniversary vigil.

A time of reflection will take place at All Saints Church in Northampton at 19:00 BST, led by Father Oliver Coss, It will be followed by a candlelit vigil on the plaza in front of the church, where the sculpture stood in 2022.

The vigil will take place outside All Saints Church, where the Knife Angel stood in 2022

Speakers will also include Det Supt Andy Glenn, Northamptonshire Police's lead for serious violence.

He said: "We take the issue of knife crime incredibly seriously and supporting events such as this vigil is vitally important, particularly for those directly impacted by knife crime.

"This week we've joined together with police forces across the UK as part of Operation Sceptre, which is aimed at preventing knife crime and tackling those involved."

Det Supt Andy Glenn said supporting events like the vigil was "vitally important"

"This has included visiting schools, hosting knife amnesties, supporting young people at risk of becoming involved in this type of crime and using all of our resources to pursue those people we believe are involved in knife crime," he added.

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