The Knife Angel is officially unveiled in Walsall
It's to raise awareness around knife crime and violence.
Last updated 1st Dec 2023
The Iconic sculpture's been welcomed to Walsall this morning.
The Knife Angel's a powerful symbol of the destructive nature of knife crime in our communities, and will stand in Gallery Square in Walsall until Thursday 28 December 2023.
Standing 27ft tall and weighing 3.5 tons, it is comprised of 100,000 blunted knives received from 43 police forces across the UK. It took two years to create and has toured UK towns and cities since November 2018. Designed to raise awareness about the devastating consequences of carrying knives, the sculpture aims to start meaningful conversations and prompt collective action to combat this issue.
“The increase in knife related crime is an issue that is impacting all parts of the UK,” said: Councillor Garry Perry, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Resilient Communities at Walsall Council.
"Following recent visits to Lichfield, Nuneaton, Colchester and Bolton, the Knife Angel is coming to Walsall and brings a critical issue into the public eye, reminding us of those affected by the tragic consequences of knife crime. By showcasing this thought-provoking sculpture, our hope is that we can provoke discussion, signpost to support and empower all of our communities to choose life. The consequences of knife crime are all too real.
“Sometimes in Walsall, crime and the perception of crime can impact on the quality of life of residents. The council is committed to the safety and strength of our local communities, celebrating the positives, and tackling challenges head on."
Mark Brindley, from The James Brindley Foundation, said: “The Knife Angel is like an accessible social influencer, providing every member of our community, with an opportunity to engage and understand the complex issues surrounding serious youth violence. We must grasp this moment, to raise awareness and to educate those who remain indifferent to the consequences of knife crime.”
Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby, Walsall Police commander, said: “It’s hard to under-estimate how impactful the sculpture is - take the opportunity to visit it when it arrives in Walsall.
“It is especially powerful when you remind yourself that each and every one of the hundreds of knives which make up the sculpture comes from an incident of knife-related crime somewhere in the country. I hope that, for the time that it is in Walsall borough, it provokes thought, discussion and positive change.
“Knives are everywhere in our society - in our homes, our classrooms, and with friends on the streets. We need to have meaningful conversations about #LifeorKnife. There have already been too many senseless deaths. “