A bench made from surrendered knives has been installed at Blackburn Cathedral as part of efforts to raise awareness about the impact of knife crime during Knife Crime Awareness Week.

The bench, created using 127 knives collected from Lancashire surrender bins, has been crafted by apprentices at WEC Group Ltd in Blackburn. The project was delivered in partnership with Lancashire Violence Reduction Network during Operation Sceptre, a national initiative aimed at tackling knife crime through prevention, education, and enforcement.

Young apprentices at WEC Group led the design and manufacture of the bench, placing young people at the centre of a project focused on promoting positive change within the community.

@wecgroupltd 🔪 From Weapons to Welder Art: 127 Seized Knives Turned Into a Powerful Bench by WEC Academy’s First Welding Apprentices 👨‍🏭✨ #KnifeCrime #WeldingTransformation #WECacademy #ApprenticePower #ArtWithPurpose #ForYouPage #FYP #foryou #knives ♬ Trap music(814196) - Pavel

Knife Crime Sergeant Mick Johnson said: “Turning something as dangerous as a knife into a place for reflection has been a really moving experience for all involved. These knives represent choices that could have led to tragedy – instead they are now a place where people can stop, think, and remember the impact these weapons have. Having young apprentices involved in the build was a deliberate choice, it is important young people don’t just hear about knife crime – they are part of the solution.”

"As part of our ongoing enrichment programme at WEC Academy, we partnered with Lancashire Constabulary to explore the realities of knife crime—both nationally and within our own communities here in Lancashire. Rather than just talking about the issue, our apprentices took meaningful action. They designed and built a powerful piece: a bench constructed from a patchwork of surrendered knives and swords. It's a testament to what young people can achieve when they focus their energy on building skills, not falling into harmful paths." Said Kris Mercer, WEC Engineering Academy Manager.