THE mother of Barnaby Webber who died after an attack in Nottingham is set to unveil the ‘knife angel’ when it visits Somerset next month.

The 27ft sculpture, created from 100,000 knives retrieved from amnesty bins, will spend April outside the Market House in Taunton.

It will coincide with a 30-day campaign of “anti-conflict awareness” targeting schools, community groups and local businesses, which is being supported by Somerset Council and Taunton Town Council.

Former Taunton School pupil Barnaby Webber was tragically killed in a knife attack in Nottingham in 2023. His mother, Emma, is lending her support to the anti-violence campaign. Commenting, she said: “We are still trying to process the devastating loss of our beautiful boy. The cruel and senseless way that he was taken from us and denied his bright future, hurts every single day. Violent crimes, especially knife crime, are at an epidemic level in our country and is something that must be addressed urgently.

“We are glad to offer any support that we can in ensuring this impactful, important and educational visit serves its purpose.

“We are deeply touched at how the people of Somerset have supported us during the past tragic months and are grateful that funds raised will also be supporting the foundation that we have created in Barnaby’s name.”

Mrs Webber will unveil the monument at a civic ceremony on April 3, at 1pm, where she will speak alongside local representatives and British Ironwork chairman Clive Knowles.

Adam Fouracre, who founded Stand Against Violence after his brother was killed in a violent attack in Taunton in 2005, is also backing the initiative. He said: “It is a terrific opportunity to be involved in supporting the Knife Angel project in Somerset where my brother lost his life to mindless violence.

“The Knife Angel doesn’t just represent the victims who have lost their lives to knife attacks but to all victims of violent acts. We still have a long way to go to see an end to violence in this country, but it begins with awareness and education – something that we hope the Knife Angel will bring and that we can absolutely support.”

Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, Lead Member for Communities, Housing and Culture at Somerset Council said she hoped the arrival of the sculpture would help raise awareness around the impacts of knife crime. She said: “I championed the Knife Angel to come to Somerset as it is a hugely powerful work of art which serves both as a memorial to victims of violence and as a catalyst for social change across the UK.

“I know that it will encourage me to have conversations with my children and I hope that it encourages others to discuss and educate themselves and their loved ones on this important matter.

“While Somerset remains a safe place to live with relatively low levels of knife crime, we fully support the aims of the sculpture and strongly condemn all forms of violence.”