Chief champions Firebreak at Knife Angel unveiling
21/05/2026
Fire service officers were on hand to welcome the Knife Angel statue to Cambridgeshire, as it was unveiled on Wednesday (May 20).
Chief Fire Officer Matthew Warren spoke at the event, held at Ely Cathedral, about the vital work the Service delivers to young people through its Firebreak scheme. He was joined at the event by members of the community fire safety team, which was organised by Soham Town Rangers Football Club, the first sports club in the country to host the Knife Angel.
He said: “The Knife Angel is a truly impressive monument that raises awareness of the tragedy of knife crime. What we deliver through Firebreak provides the practical intervention needed to turn that awareness into action, reminding us all why prevention matters.
“Through programmes like Firebreak we demonstrate how prevention can be achieved with a partnership approach. It reinforces the importance of engaging young people early, providing positive role models, creating opportunities, and helping vulnerable individuals move away from violence before lives are lost or permanently changed.”
Matthew spoke about the importance of Firebreak and the benefits it has for those young people that take part. He also highlighted the importance of the scheme in delivering the Serious Violence Duty, a statutory responsibility placed on the Service and its partners.
He added: “Firebreak works directly with vulnerable young people who may be at risk of exploitation, county lines involvement, antisocial behaviour, and knife crime. Through structured intervention, mentorship, teamwork, and education around consequences and decision-making, Firebreak helps young people build confidence, resilience, discipline, and a sense of purpose, encouraging them to make positive life choices and follow a different path.
“I have seen first hand what impact Firebreak has on young people and how it can provide a platform to bigger and better things for young people that just need that additional support and to be shown a better way.
“This vital work closely aligns with the message of the Knife Angel monument. The Knife Angel stands as a powerful national symbol of the devastating impact knife crime has on individuals, families, and communities.
“By delivering Firebreak, we not only fulfil our statutory duty under the Serious Violence Duty, but also supports the wider national message represented by the Knife Angel, that through education, partnership, intervention, and hope, we can reduce knife crime and build safer communities for future generations.”
The visit coincides with a knife amnesty, with the police encouraging people to surrender weapons safely, helping to prevent further harm.
More info can be found on the Cambridgeshire Constabulary website.
The event was delivered by Soham Town Rangers Football Club, the project is in collaboration with partners including Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambridgeshire County Council and Ely Cathedral.
The Knife Angel was created by the British Ironwork Centre, by the artist Alfie Bradley, and it is the National Monument Against Violence and Aggression. It’s made up of over 100,000 knives surrendered and collected in nationwide amnesties.