Sister of murdered Michael Riddiough-Allen backs 'knife angel' statue to encourage conversations
The police estimate that one in 2,000 people in Devon and Cornwall carry a knife
Last updated 4th Mar 2026
The sister of a man who died from a stabbing in Cornwall has backed the decision to bring a statue made from 100,000 confiscated knives to Plymouth.
Michael Riddiough-Allen, 32, was killed trying to protect others in April 2023 and the huge statue will remain on show in the city centre for a month to spark conversations about knife crime across the police force area.
Mike's sister Becky Dustan has also helped create the Mike's Trust charity to make 'positive changes' after her brother died protecting others outside the Eclipse nightclub in Bodmin on April 30, 2023.
The 27ft high national monument against violence is situated between the Civic Centre and Guildhall sculpture serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that violence can have on individuals, families and communities.
It will be in Plymouth for a month and it’s visit is designed to create space for reflection, conversation and education and focus on the prevention of knife crime.
Knifes handed in during knife amnesties or seized by more than 40 police forces have been used in the sculpture, which has toured around the country.
Among the speakers at a special ceremony on Tuesday to mark the arrival of the Knife Angel in Plymouth, instigated by the city council, was Becky Dustan whose brother, Michael Riddiough-Allen, 32, died after being stabbed with a knife outside the Eclipse nightclub in Bodmin on April 30 2023.
In a moving speech Becky, who has since founded a knife crime education charity with family members called Mikes Trust, talked about the effect of knife crime not only on the families and friends of the victims but also those of the perpetrator and communities.
Plymouth City Councillor for community safety Sally Haydon (Lab, St Budeaux) said it was a real honour for Plymouth to host this “powerful sculpture”. She said every blade of the Knife Angel represented “a moment of harm, a moment of fear, a moment where a life or a family has changed forever”.
“When you stand in front of the Knife Angel you cannot ignore the message, it remind us of the real impact of violence.”
She said Plymouth had a low level of knife crime compared with other cities but the monument was there to educate people and bring them together to talk and share their fears and experiences.
There will be a month long programme surrounding the Knife Angel with partners from across the city delivering school workshops, community conversations, sessions focused on violence against women and girls, late night economy outreach, youth activities, and opportunities for pledges and reflection.
The aim is to build understanding, challenge myths, encourage safe choices and promote early access to help where it is needed.
Teacher Rachael Hudson of St Boniface Catholic School for boys brought along a group of students to see the Knife Angel. She said: “Some of the boys have read about the Knife Angel coming here and they hear about the dangers of society at the moment. Bringing them here makes it real I think and the fact that these knives have been collected by 43 different constabularies is really thought provoking for them,”
Arezoo Farahzad, who works with young people , said the sculpture sent such a powerful message to all young people in the community, their parents and families,
“It really is a stunning piece of art, what a lovely way to convey such a powerful message turning a negative into a positive. I hope everyone who comes here sees the power in it and realises that our future lies in a much safer society without any violence.”
The visit is funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and is utilising funding from the Community Safety Partnership’s Serious Violence Duty fund.
The Knife Angel will be lit up at night.
Mark Oliver, chair of Churches Together in Plymouth, said he loved that the Knife Angel was so massive.
“This is the point, in knife crime, violence and aggression we are talking about something that is usually done in secret, in the shadows, now we are bringing it into the light, we can’t hide this thing.”
What has the police and crime commissioner said?
Alison Hernandez said: "The challenge of tackling knife crime here in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is a very different one than faced by police forces in other parts of the country.
"Incidents, no matter how isolated or rare, are always shocking and understandably send ripples of fear throughout communities. But, thankfully, our force area is not in the midst of a knife crime crisis.
"According to the most recent Devon & Cornwall Police data, in the 12 months to January 2026, there were 3,007 incidents of recorded knife related crime. This is similar to the number of offences recorded in the previous year where 2,995 offences were recorded.
"The police estimate that one in 2,000 people in Devon and Cornwall carry a knife. However, my office’s recent survey of young people and adults identified they worried about people carrying weapons on our streets. The more we can do to deter people from carrying a knife and show that we act to prevent their concerns the better from stop and search to education initiatives.
"The wider harms of knife crime can never be underestimated, with incidents often linked to domestic abuse, alcohol related incidents, criminal exploitation and mental health or self-harm crises. It is imperative that we help educate people around these risks and provide the support they need before things escalate.
"That is why my office, along with a contribution from the Community Safety Partnership’s Serious Violence Duty fund, has helped fund the installation of an imposing 27ft (8m) tall sculpture called Knife Angel in Plymouth.
"It will be illuminated each evening and will remain there throughout March with educational events taking place throughout the month in schools across the city and also bystander intervention training to help people speak up when they witness violence, harassment or discrimination.
"The Knife Angel has visited more than 50 locations since its tour of the UK began in 2018 and has become regarded as a national monument to raise awareness of the devastating impact of knife crime and to encourage education, prevention and remembrance.
"The decision for it to be located in Plymouth does not mean the city has a knife crime problem. In fact, knife attacks remain relatively rare, but every single one that takes place is one too many.
"That’s why I am supportive of any initiative that encourages people to choose not to carry knives, to safely surrender any knives they hold, and to take part in a programme of education and community engagement designed to prevent violence and protect lives.
"Bringing it to Devon has been a collective effort between by office, Devon & Cornwall Police and Plymouth City Council, working alongside a wide range of partners including schools and multi academy trusts, youth services, domestic abuse specialists, mental health and substance misuse providers, community and voluntary groups, faith organisations and Mike’s Trust – a charity set up by the family of murdered knife victim Michael Riddiough-Allen who died in 2023 after he was stabbed outside a nightclub in Bodmin.
"It is a tangible example that we don’t tolerate carrying a knife in our area and how working in collaboration can achieve longer-term impact which will continue beyond March.
"Notable efforts are being Devon & Cornwall Police to tackle knife crime. Last November, the force launched a new knife crime website called #NotTheOne which is part of a national partnership-led campaign that aims to educate 11 to 16-year-olds on the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife.
"Importantly, it also helps teachers, parents, friends and family who all play a hugely vital role in positively influencing young people’s lives and stop them being drawn into knife crime.
"Recently, the force collaborated with talented students from City College, Plymouth, to create two educational videos about knife crime made by young people for young people to bust the myth that you are safer if you carry a knife. The reality is that it’s the opposite because it actually increases your risk of harm.
"To change the alarming real and perceived knife crime culture requires early education and challenging behaviours so that we can hopefully see the number of incidents not only continue to decrease in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly but also other parts of the country. "