EFFORTS are being made to raise awareness in the city about the horrors of knife crime and violence.

The Knife Angel, a powerful sculpture made from 100,000 seized blades, watched over Carlisle City Centre in the month of December and departed for Barrow-in-Furness last week.

Forged by the British Ironworks Centre, the sculpture is designed to raise awareness of violence and knife crime.

Cumbria County Council, the police, the city council and Barrow Council worked together to bring the Knife Angel to Cumbria.

And the city's health and wellbeing boss said that the striking statue served its purpose.

Speaking at Carlisle City Council on Tuesday, Cllr Elizabeth Mallinson said: "The feedback from that is very poignant, I actually think it's focussed the mind on the hideous knife crime culture that there is at the moment nationally and internationally.

"We are very lucky in Carlisle that though we did have a fatality, we are not at the moment suffering from the same increase in knife crime, other parts of the country are. It's a hideous crime."

The Knife Angel has left a legacy in Carlisle, leading councillors to consider what more can be done to tackle violent crime.

Cllr Jo-Ellis Williams has asked that the issue of violence at taxi ranks is looked at.

"I'd really like to highlight another very concerning area of violence that is becoming quite prevalent in our city. One of the consequences of the pandemic has been a reduction in available taxis late at night and increasing queues at the ranks.

"This has unfortunately over the past few months led to an increase in disorderly behaviour and often violent incidents at the taxi ranks, particularly outside the station.

"Reports of this behaviour either anecdotally or in the press, have raised alarming questions, most importantly how do we prevent these from continuing and what do we do to protect the public and also our taxi drivers from further attacks? Does the portfolio holder agree with me that this should be raised at the next meeting of the Community Safety Partnership in the hope that the partners can discuss solutions to these concerns and work together to ensure these incidents do not escalate."

Cllr Mallinson said that violence at taxi ranks will "most certainly" go on the agenda for the next meeting.

Meanwhile, Carlisle Labour Party has announced an 'ambitious' project to understand and address knife crime.

Labour activist Fiona Goldie successfully proposed in November that the party launch a campaign against violence.

The group will start a dialogue with residents of Carlisle discussing their experiences, their motives, fears and justification.

Anyone wishing to participate can contact Fiona at: knifecrimeprojectlabour@gmail.com

Fiona said: "Knife crime and violence do not only affect those who are killed or injured, but those who know and care for them. The families and friends of perpetrators are also devastated, and also those who may be wrongly accused. Lives are destroyed by this in so many ways and we are all left picking up the pieces."