A NEW statue is to be unveiled in Reading town centre today, aimed at raising awareness of the efforts to tackle knife crime and violence.
Called The Armoured Heart, the sculpture has been installed outside the east entrance of The Oracle, and has been created from blades handed in to knife amnesty bins across Reading and the Thames Valley.
It was created by local artist Stuart Melrose, who has worked on the Amnesty Art project alongside members of the Young Voices project run by Reading’s Starting Point mentoring service.
This has involved young people shaping the design of the sculpture and learning through developing a new programme to educate on the risks and consequences of violence and knives.
Representing the strength of Reading’s communities and the potential of young people growing up in the town, the 2m tall structure is in the shape of heart, and comprises multiple precision-cut stainless steel diamonds to depict armour plating.
At the top, a swirling steel finial shape has been made from weapons recovered by Thames Valley Police, melted down and repurposed into an inspirational art form.
Reading Borough Council says the statute is designed to inspire younger residents to make positive choices around knives. And in a nod to the future, people using a mobile phone can tap into an augmented reality technology element.
The sculpture has been funded through grants received from GWR’s Community Fund, the British Airways community fund, the Thames Valley Violence Reduction Unit and community donations.
Cllr Karen Rowland, Lead Member for Environmental Services & Community Safety at Reading Borough Council, said: “The unveiling of this incredible, evocative sculpture has created a physical symbol of peace and hope that everyone can take inspiration from.
“The sculpture celebrates the opportunity of the positive choices that our young people can make to grow up safe in Reading’s communities.
“The production of this sculpture is proudly Made in Reading, the culmination of our local young people alongside Reading’s own Stuart Melrose, to create a thought-provoking manifestation of our message. The upcoming educational programme to follow will remind us all that within Reading we have the power to work together to move away from knife crime and violence.”
She added: “My thanks go to The Oracle shopping centre for the prime location and to GWR and British Airways, the Thames Valley Violence Reduction Unit and other community organisations for the funding and volunteering efforts that have made this possible.”
And Mr Melrose said the project had been fascinating to work on, and was a symbol of Reading’s hope, resilience and strength.
“The young people I worked with are overcoming all the challenges they face growing up today, but their enthusiasm and vision has shaped both the sculpture but also a wider brand which will help the education project have a lasting impact,” he said.
The statue was commissioned through a partnership project including Reading Borough Council, Thames Valley Police, The Oracle shopping centre, the University of Reading, Berkshire Community Foundation, the Hampshire Community Rail Partnership and Reading & Basingstoke Community Rail Partnership, among others.
It cost £64,000, which included the development of the educational materials. Sponsorship included £44,000 from the GWR Community Fund 2022/2023, £7,500 from British Airways, £12,000 from the Thames Valley Violence Reduction Unit, to support piloting of anti-knife crime messaging, and £500 in individual donations from community sponsors.
GWR Business Assurance Director Joe Graham said: “The Community Fund is a great opportunity for us to invest in projects that really make a difference to our customers and communities at a local level.
“We were delighted to support this initiative with a grant for £44,000. The sculpture itself is fantastic as a permanent installation, but it is the opportunity to inspire further positive change that we are particularly pleased to be able to support for the long term.”
Today (Monday, May 15) marks the start of the national Operation Sceptre or Knife Crime Awareness Week, running until Sunday, May 21.
During the week, police and partners seek to raise awareness of the risk and consequences of carrying knives. Weapons amnesty bins are available for anyone to anonymously dispose of weapons and knives, no questions asked.
Knife amnesty bins in Reading are located at the Waitrose Car Park in Caversham, Cintra Park, Coley Park Community Centre, Kensington Park, Orts Road and Tilehurst Triangle.
