Come along to the Knife Angel closing ceremony
A special ceremony will take place in Welwyn Garden City next week to mark the end of the Knife Angel’s visit to Hertfordshire.
Hertfordshire Constabulary and Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council are inviting the public to come along for the important occasion.
The Knife Angel arrived in the county on 1 October for a month-long programme of intensive anti-violence youth engagement within Welwyn Hatfield and across the county.
A closing ceremony will take place in Howardsgate on Thursday 30 October at 5.30pm.
The ceremony will be a poignant opportunity for the community to come together and the county’s Cadets will take part in a moving candle-lit parade.
The ceremony will be attended by Chief Constable Andy Prophet and local dignitaries. It will feature a musical performance by Everybody Loves Music (an inclusive programme for young people aged 10 to 30) and there will also be a motivational talk by knife crime campaigner and spoken word artist Quinton Green.
Welwyn Hatfield Chief Inspector Pete Frost said:
“The Knife Angel has moved the community and we’ve had lots of feedback from the public who have been grateful for us shining a spotlight on such an important issue.
“We’d like the public to join us as we say goodbye to the Knife Angel and reflect on the past month. We are determined that the Knife Angel leaves a legacy and it is important that the local community remain a part of our work to tackle knife crime going forwards. We hope to see lots of people come along and show solidarity in saying no to knife crime and violence.”
Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Councillor Sandreni Bonfante, said:
“It has been great to see so many people, particularly young people, visit the Knife Angel over the last month or take part in the events that were organised to raise awareness, spark conversations and encourage positive change.
“We are proud to have partnered with Hertfordshire Constabulary to bring the Knife Angel to Welwyn Hatfield for the first time, and I would once again like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make this happen. Like the opening ceremony, I am sure that the closing ceremony will be a powerful occasion and I would encourage as many people as possible to join us in marking the end of this important month.”