Knife Dragon Unveiled in Wrexham as Striking Symbol Against Weapons Crime

A powerful campaign to raise awareness about weapons has launched alongside the unveiling of a striking four-metre Knife Dragon sculpture.

After nearly four years of effort, lecturer John Freeman and his students completed the handcrafted statue, which depicts a dragon guarding a small child. It now stands proudly outside Coleg Cambria’s Bersham Road campus in Wrexham.

The project, developed in collaboration with Wrexham County Borough Council and North Wales Police, has reached its initial milestone.

Next, work will begin on elevating the sculpture onto a plinth made of Welsh slate, designed to resemble a castle, alongside a “river of knives.” This next phase is scheduled for completion in November.

Illuminated at night in red, white, and green—the colors of Wales—the Knife Dragon serves both as a national symbol and a stark reminder of the devastating effects of weapons-related crime on communities.

“It has taken many days and weeks of dedication, with the amazing support and skill of our learners, to bring the sculpture to life,” said John.

“The staff have playfully named the dragon ‘JohnFree’ as I’ve spent every hour I haven’t been lecturing in the workshop, safely shaping a range of confiscated weapons including kitchen knives, samurai swords, knuckle dusters and bayonets and welding them onto steel frames to form the main body and head.

“The wings are made from wire mesh and strips, and took a long time to complete, but it’s all finally done.

“We are so happy with how it looks, almost identical to the model I had initially designed, and glad it will represent such an important cause.”

Karl Jackson, Assistant Principal for the Institute of Technology and Site Lead at Bersham Road, said: “The finished article is quite breathtaking, it will be a beacon not only for knife awareness but also for the talent and skill of the students who played their part in its construction, which all took place with health and safety the number one priority.

“The sculpture will stand proudly here at Bersham Road, a symbol for generations to come constructed entirely from weapons North Wales Police had collected via amnesty or confiscation.

“Several thousand have been used for the knife dragon and it is quite staggering when you reflect on that, but what a powerful message this now sends out.”

District Inspector for Wrexham City Rhodri Ifans emphasized the importance of continuing to address knife crime, even as local incidents remain low.

“Knives are dangerous and there is no place for them on our streets. Every incident involving a knife has consequences for all those involved, and so this is an issue we take extremely seriously,” he said.

“As such, it is particularly important we can create opportunities to highlight knife crime and what we can do to prevent it.

“We all have a responsibility to educate anyone who may think it acceptable to carry a knife and the Knife Dragon offers a way in which we can work with our partners on a project that just might prevent another tragedy.

“Made with weapons we have seized from our own streets; they will never again be in position to harm anyone.

“By working with our partners, we will continue to educate, enforce, and act on any information given to us to bring those involved in this type of offending to justice.”

Cllr Paul Roberts, Lead Member for Partnership and Community Safety at Wrexham County Borough Council, added: “This striking Knife Dragon will serve as a reminder to the devastating impact that knife crime and serious violence can have on local communities and families.

“Following on from the Knife Angel’s visit to Wrexham in October 2022, with thanks to the staff and students at Coleg Cambria on its construction, the Knife Dragon will provide a permanent focus point to the partnership working and education around keeping knife crime low in Wrexham.”

For the latest updates from Coleg Cambria, visit www.cambria.ac.uk.

If you are concerned about knife crime, contact North Wales Police at 101 or call CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. You can also visit www.fearless.org/en/give-info.