Knife Angel moves Harlow to tears
The national monument against violence has been unveiled this evening
Last updated 1st Sep 2023
The Knife Angel has found its temporary home in Harlow,
The striking sculpture crafted from thousands of knives surrendered to police forces across the United Kingdom, serves as a poignant memorial to those who have tragically lost their lives to knife violence. Its presence in Harlow is meant to serve as a resolute message that the community is united in its determination to combat knife crime and violence in all its forms.
Councillor Andrew Johnson, the Chair of Harlow District Council, has emphasized the importance of this event for Harlow. He stated, "The Knife Angel is a really poignant memorial to those who've lost their lives to knife crime and a real statement of the community's desire to cease knife crime and violence in general. So it's great that it's been able to come to Harlow on its tour of the country. And I think the turnout tonight just shows how important the community leaders feel."
Councilor Johnson expressed his delight in hosting the event, explaining, "As a Council cross-party, we're committed to eradicating violence in our town. To host tonight as chair is absolutely lovely to have community leaders, you know, everyone coming to see this installation, and there's going to be a whole month of events going on to drive home the importance of the message of the Knife Angel."
The significance of having the Knife Angel in Harlow extends beyond symbolism. Councilor Johnson emphasized that the community has experienced significant losses due to knife crime in the past. He shared a poignant example, saying, "One of the ladies that's been involved in bringing the Knife Angel to Harlow sadly lost her son 17 years ago today. She'll be speaking later on this evening, and I think it's just important that we don't forget events like that and we do try and change our community for the better."
As a parting message to the residents of Essex and beyond, Councilor Johnson invited everyone to visit the Knife Angel during its month-long stay in Harlow. He described the sculpture as "very impressive" and "gentle," despite being composed of knives, and encouraged people to witness it firsthand.
For those interested in seeing the Knife Angel, it will be on display in Harlow for the entire month, providing an opportunity for residents and visitors alike to reflect on the message it represents.