"A number of weapons" have already been handed in, it was revealed, as the Knife Angel sculpture was launched in Worcester.
In front of the sculpture in Cathedral Plaza, is a knife amnesty box, where people can hand in weapons safely that they want off the streets, which will be guarded 24 hours a day.
Speaking at the event to formally launch the sculpture this morning, Cllr Marc Bayliss, leader of Worcester City Council said: " I am worried but pleased that in the first day we have already had a number of weapons turned in.
"To think those were on the streets of Worcester before is deeply troubling.
"Thankfully Worcester is one of the safest cities in the country but you can never do enough to keep away violence, particularly knife crime.
"This sculpture is undoubtedly beautiful but there is something deeply foreboding about it as well.
"I hope every child and young person in Worcester will have the opportunity to see the monument and participate in the activities we have this month to highlight the issue."
The sculpture is 27 feet tall and consists of around 100,000 knives taken off the streets by 43 police forces across the country.
Tracey Onslow, deputy police and crime commissioner for West Mercia said: " It is fantastic the angel can travel, but it is not just a statue to marvel it.
"It represents a cultural issue we all need to address.
"Crime figures have reduced over the last 12 months, but across the UK knife crime is on the rise.
"There were 690 offences from 2019-2020 in West Mercia and 570 from 2020 to 2021.
"The government has a strategy and the PCC has a strategy to deal with this, but there has to be a whole system approach
"Knives are the most common weapon used in the killing of young people.
"If you take a knife with you, the most likely person to be stabbed by that knife is you."
The sculptor, Alfie Bradley, was also in attendance and told the crowds that some of the knives are engraved with messages from families that have lost loved ones to knife crime.
The Knife Angel will be in Worcester, until Wednesday, March 30 at 6pm.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here