The Knife Angel will be visiting Stoke-on-Trent throughout April 2022 as part of its National Anti-Violence Tour. The Knife Angel will be located at the Smithfield site in Stoke-on-Trent City Centre.
The Knife Angel is a stunning contemporary 27ft, 3.5 ton, sculpture of an angel made out of 100,000 confiscated knives received from 43 Police Forces across the UK.
Originating from The British Ironwork Centre in Oswestry and created by sculptor Alfie Bradley, it is on tour of towns and cities around Britain raising awareness of the issues of knife crime and all forms of violence and aggression. The British Ironwork Centre created the Knife Angel as a vehicle to voice the concerns of the nation, its communities, families, and the victims that have tragically been affected.
The Knife Angel, under the ‘Save a Life, Surrender your Knife’ campaign, exists to spearhead change and ensure there is more of a focus on early intervention, awareness raising and education throughout the UK. The Knife Angel encourages the surrender of knives and 1,800 of the knives used in the sculpture were provided from amnesties in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire in 2015 and 2016. Surrender bins for the safe disposal of knives will be at Hanley Fire and Police Station and Longton Police Station whilst it is in the city.
Staffordshire Police are committed to tackling knife crime through the Ditch the Blade campaign which supports the national Operation Sceptre initiative. The Knife Angel coming to Stoke-on-Trent provides an opportunity to build on this ongoing work. We know young people carry knives out of fear, but it could be used against them. It is critical that the adults in their life talk to them about the consequences of knife carrying. They could get four years in prison, even if they don’t use it. For help and advice on having open conversations about knife crime visit: https://www.staffordshire.police.uk/ditchtheblade