Dedicated students have unveiled a lasting tribute to knife crime victims as part of a pioneering art project.

Young people studying at Northumberland Skills at the Port of Blyth have used the college’s state-of-the-art welding centre to design and produce a bench made out of confiscated or donated blunted knives.

It will now go on display at The Pavillion in Blyth for the public to see and use.

The unveiling of the bench comes during Sceptre, a week of activity across the Northumbria Police Force area to tackle knife crime and its root causes by carrying out education and engagement activity in the community.

The students have also received inputs from the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), which is funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria, Susan Dungworth.

Nicky Boyle, 18, who was on the Northumberland Skills learners who worked on the bench, said: “It’s been hard work to put the bench together, but now that it’s finished it looks phenomenal. I’ve loved every second of it and I’m really proud of what we’ve produced.”

The project has the backing of a number of families who have been affected by the devastating impact of knife crime, including the loved ones of Samantha Madgin.

Samantha was aged just 18 when she was fatally stabbed in Wallsend in 2007, just months after she had given birth to her son.

Samantha’s family, including mum Alison and sister Carly, have used their heartbreak to fight tirelessly to prevent serious violent crime in the North East, setting up Samantha’s Legacy in her memory.

During the process of creating the bench, Samantha’s family have given talks to the students about the devastating impact knife crime has had on them.

Through Project Shield, which is funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria, the Force is committed to tackling ASB and serious violence right across the length and breadth of the communities it serves.

Alison said: “I’m quite emotional now that I’ve seen the finished bench. I’m so proud of everyone who’s put in the effort towards this, they’ve done an excellent job and they were so excited to unveil it.

“Hopefully, it’ll make people think about knife crime and lead them to have conversations with their families of the dangers of becoming involved in it.”

Superintendent Scott Cowie, of Northumbria Police’s dedicated Prevention department, said: “It’s been fantastic to see the hard work and skill that has gone into creating the bench during the past few months.

“Northumberland Skills’ learners have taken considerable time to not only design the sculpture but also put in many hours of work to complete it too.

“The project is a fitting tribute to those we have sadly lost their lives to knife crime in our region, but we also hope it acts as a serious deterrent to those thinking of arming themselves with such weapons.

“We hope it will be used as a point of reflection for people to stop and take time to think about how dangerous knives are.

“As part of our work, we believe it is vital that young people don’t just hear about knife crime but are part of the solution to solving these problems too.

“We know as police that we alone can’t prevent knife crime, which is why it’s so important that everyone plays their part in tackling this issue within society.

“We are building on the work we do to tackle and prevent knife crime each and every day in our Force area as part of Sceptre this week. Officers are carrying out warrants at addresses to arrest those suspected of knife crime and serious violence while also seizing weapons and drugs.”

As part of other activity, colleagues in the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), which is funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria (OPCC), are putting on engagement sessions at schools and colleges to emphasise the dangers knife criminality.

Alongside counterparts at British Transport Police, teams are riding the rails on the region’s Metro system to spot any knife crime issues and pass on safety advice to the public.

As part of Operation Sceptre, knife surrender bins are out in place at the following stations:

  • Middle Engine Lane in Wallsend, North Tyneside
  • Alnwick, Bedlington, Berwick and Hexham in Northumberland
  • Etal Lane and Forth Banks in Newcastle
  • Gateshead station
  • Millbank in South Shields
  • Southwick in Sunderland

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Susan Dungworth said: “It’s inspiring to see young people using their skills and creativity to raise awareness and take a stand against knife crime.

“Sadly, too many families have experienced the heartbreak of losing a loved one to such senseless violence. Knives destroy lives, and the impact ripples through entire communities, which makes initiatives like this all the more important.

“By creating this bench, the students have given their community a place for reflection and a powerful reminder of the consequences of carrying a weapon – encouraging people to stop, think, and make positive choices.

“This project complements the wider work taking place across our region, during Sceptre and throughout the year, including enforcement activity led by Northumbria Police, extra patrols through Project Shield, and targeted interventions and education sessions delivered by our Violence Reduction Unit, and partners such as Samantha’s Legacy.”

She added: “Thank you to everyone involved, but most importantly the students whose hard work and creativity have brought this vision to life. Together, we are sending a clear message that there is no place for knife crime, and we will continue to build safer, stronger communities for everyone.”

Cllr Guy Renner-Thompson, Cabinet Member for Inspiring Young People at Northumberland County Council, said: “This project captures everything that education should stand for – creativity, collaboration and community impact.

“By transforming confiscated knives into a symbol of hope and remembrance, our learners have not only developed exceptional technical skills but also a deeper understanding of the difference they can make in society.

“It’s a powerful example of learning with purpose.”

Anyone who wants to report suspected knife crime can do so by sending Northumbria Police a direct message on social media or by using the live chat or report forms on the Force website.

For those unable to make contact via those ways, call 101.

In an emergency situation, always ring 999.

To report suspected criminality you can speak to the charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.