CITY leaders urged thugs to save lives by putting down the knives as a poignant statue was formally unveiled in Colchester.

Representatives from Essex Police, Colchester Garrison, Colchester Council and others met at the Mercury Theatre on Wednesday evening.

The launch party marked the arrival of the 27 foot tall Knife Angel, which consists of more than 100,000 blunted blades, outside the venue.

Colchester mayor John Jowers said: “The emotional impact of that structure is extraordinary. It is the primitive angst we feel upon seeing a knife.”

Gazette: Poignant - the Knife Angel has been unveiled in ColchesterPoignant - the Knife Angel has been unveiled in Colchester (Image: Clive Sonya Bowyer)

Gazette: Unveiling - the Knife Angel was officially launched in Colchester on Wednesday eveningUnveiling - the Knife Angel was officially launched in Colchester on Wednesday evening (Image: Newsquest)

Also present at the event was Ann Oakes-Odger, whose son Westley, 27, died when he was stabbed in the neck at a cashpoint in Greenstead in September 2005.

Ms Oakes-Odger, who received an MBE for her dedication to knife crime prevention, said she hopes the statue brings something positive out of an “awful situation”.

“My son, his life was sadly taken in Colchester. Having the angel here is, for me, coming full circle,” she said.

“It can be quite a controversial statue but from my point of view it opens a dialogue and dialogue is always a good thing.

Gazette: Powerful - Ann Oakes-Odger tells the crowd about her grief after losing son Westley to knife crimePowerful - Ann Oakes-Odger tells the crowd about her grief after losing son Westley to knife crime (Image: Newsquest)

“If you stop someone carrying a weapon you have potentially saved a life or even their own.

“I think it is breathtaking when you consider that all of these knives have been handed in at some point.”

Sir Bob Russell used his position as Colchester’s MP to help raise awareness of knife crime in Parliament following Westley’s death.

Speaking during Wednesday's meeting, he said: “We need to educate young people of the evils of carrying a knife.

Gazette: Put down the knives - Colchester Council's communities boss Natalie SommersPut down the knives - Colchester Council's communities boss Natalie Sommers (Image: Newsquest)

“A tragedy not only affects the individual who loses their life, it is all the people around them and the perpetrator who loses their liberty too.”

Colchester Council’s communities boss Natalie Sommers vowed to ensure the town hall continues to do all it can to support the police.

The mum-of-two said: “It just takes a split second and a life is changed forever.

“I would urge everybody to bring their families and children to see the Knife Angel as we have to stop this.”