Blade Amnesty Blades Transformed Into Viking Shield for Kent Cops
Knives surrendered through Kent Police’s knife amnesty bins have been given a new lease of life – as a spectacular Viking shield. All the weapons were seized across the district before being handed to Broadstairs blacksmith and artist Gordon Fox, who forged them into a striking piece of public art.
From Offenders’ Weapons to Defenders’ Armour
Inspector James Ross reached out to Gordon Fox, known for his ironwork at Fox Forge Art, to see if he could turn these dangerous blades into something positive. Gordon jumped at the chance, inspired by the idea of turning “offensive to defensive”.
“What do crime fighters need that protects and serves? A shield,” Gordon explained. “And what better than a full-sized Viking shield, given Thanet’s rich Viking heritage.”
He safely blunted the knife edges, removed the handles, then crafted and carefully arranged them onto a wooden round shield. Inspired by the Viking ship Hugin at Pegwell Bay, Gordon etched the ship’s iconic dragon figurehead onto one knife, with another engraved showing the map of Thanet. Additional knives carry the powerful words “Protecting” and “Serving”.
Honouring a Fallen Hero
The completed shield was donated to Kent Police and will be awarded annually to outstanding Thanet officers. Named the Jon Odell Shield, it pays tribute to the officer tragically killed on duty in Margate in December 2000.
The first to receive the shield is PC Lee Godden, praised for his high arrest rate and dedication to training new officers. He also was commended for recovering stolen items, conducting effective stop-and-searches, and safely returning missing teenagers.
District Commander Chief Inspector Rhiannan Pepper said: “The Jon Odell Shield celebrates officers who go above and beyond to keep Thanet safe. These knives were taken off the streets before they could cause harm. Thanks to Gordon’s incredible talent, they now symbolise the great work Kent Police do.
“I’m delighted to present this shield to PC Lee Godden, whose dedication is truly inspirational.”
See the Shield at Margate Art Show
The Jon Odell Shield will be on public display at the Pie Factory Margate Gallery, alongside four other artists’ works, in the “Five Go Mad In Margate” exhibition. The show runs from 17 to 23 June on Broad Street.
