the Stainless Steel sculpture than honours the victims of knife crime

A sculpture made from knives collected by police has been unveiled to honour victims of knife crime.

This 2m (6ft) Armoured Heart was installed outside the east entrance of the Oracle Shopping Center in Reading. The piece was created by local artist Stuart Melrose, who collaborated with members of the youth project Young Voices. The Heart is created using stainless steel diamonds and is topped by a steel spire made from melted knives collected during the Thames Valley Police Amnesty. Funded by grants and donations, the sculpture was commissioned as part of a collaborative project involving a number of organisations, including the Police, Oracle and Reading Borough Council.

Community Safety Councilor Karen Rowland said: "The sculpture celebrates the opportunity of the positive choices that our young people can make to grow up safe in Reading's communities."