Knife Angel arrives in Welwyn Garden City
Residents and visitors came together in Welwyn Garden City town centre on Weds 1 October to mark the arrival of the Knife Angel sculpture, and the beginning of a month-long anti-violence campaign.
The Knife Angel is a 27-foot sculpture crafted from more than 100,000 knives and blades confiscated by the UK's 43 police forces. It regularly travels around the country and was designed and created by Alfie Bradley at the British Ironwork Centre.
Wednesday’s ceremony featured a musical performance by Everybody Loves Music CIC, an inclusive programme for young people aged 10 to 30, and a motivational talk by knife crime campaigner and spoken word artist, Quinton Green. Young people attending the ceremony also had the chance to sign up to be involved in the campaign as an Anti-Violence Champion, part of the drive to create real social change through support of the ethos of solving problems through peaceful and non-violent means.
The ceremony marked the beginning of a packed programme of youth-focused events throughout October, including a football tournament, music workshops, first aid training and an interactive session with therapy dogs from Lives Not Knives.
The Knife Angel stands as a stark visual reminder of the devastating impact of knife crime. A knife amnesty is now underway across Hertfordshire until the end of October.
Cllr Sandreni Bonfante, Executive Member, Environment, said:
“The opening ceremony to mark the arrival of the Knife Angel in Welwyn Garden City was a powerful reminder of the consequences of knife crime and violence. It was wonderful to see so many people attend the ceremony and to hear the messages of hope from creative voices like Quinton Green’s. It was also fantastic to see so many young people sign up to become Anti-Violence Champions, a true reflection of the possibility for change.
I would like to thank Hertfordshire Constabulary for their collaborative work with us on organising the opening ceremony and the wide range of thought-provoking events that are taking place throughout October. I would encourage everyone to stop by the Knife Angel when in Welwyn Garden City town centre and find out more about the activities happening across the County this month.”
Welwyn Hatfield Chief Inspector Pete Frost said:
“It’s a great honour to be hosting the Knife Angel during October and the opening ceremony was a great way to mark such a special occasion. Throughout October, there will be an increased knife crime awareness across Welwyn Hatfield and the wider county. It was great to see so many young people attending the ceremony, many of whom signed up to become Anti-Violence Champions, giving a lifelong commitment to reject violence which will help to make our communities stronger and safer long after the Knife Angel has moved on.”