02 Ion 2020
Why is the Knife Angel in Newtown?
This is the first time for the Knife Angel to visit Wales and we are pleased that we have been able to secure Powys as its chosen destination.
The Knife Angel is slowly touring the UK in a bid to raise awareness of the knife crime crises affecting communities, families and individuals. It is also there to highlight the education and prevention initiatives taking place in schools and youth organisations across the area right now. The sculpture also recognises those whose lives have been blighted by knife crime and acts as a memorial for bereaved families.
Where did the knives come from?
The sculpture is made of 100,000 bladed instruments (flick knives, pen knives, machetes, samurai swords, kitchen knives) collected in amnesties by all 43 UK police forces. All have been sterilised and blunted.
Who created the Knife Angel?
Sculptor, Alfie Bradley created the Knife Angel along with The British Ironwork Centre in Shropshire. Various cities have been hosting the sculpture to raise awareness of knife crime throughout the UK.
Who is the Knife Angel targeted at?
The Knife Angel should resonate with all of us, as we listen to daily news reports of knife crime and lives lost. It hopes to raise awareness in the communities it visits by providing a focal point, to question the senseless deaths and loss of lives and also support the police and school education programmes.
Won’t this attract knife crime in Newtown?
Although we hear most about the incidents in London and Manchester, knife crime and violence in its wider form is an issue that must be faced and addressed. Hosting the Knife Angel shows that we recognise it. The sculpture also stands as a memorial to young lives lost and gives us a chance to reflect upon the grief violence causes families and communities.
Knife Angel Sculpture - 4th - 29th January 2020 - Oriel Davies Gallery
If you have any information, report it to the Police on 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
If you are a young person you can find out more about knife crime by visiting fearless.org
#NewtownKn ifeAngel fearless.org
#KnifeAngel
A couple of years ago I visited the British
Ironworks Centre where I first saw the Knife
Angel. At the time, I was not only taken aback
by its sheer size, but by the very powerful
message it has and the story behind its
creation. Recently I had seen that it has been
on tour and was becoming a symbol representing
a message of anti-violence and I wanted Powys to have the
opportunity to be part of this tour and stand against
violence of any kind. With the support of the PCC Dafydd
and kindness of Clive from the British Ironworks Centre,
the journey began. We have had a month to pull this
together and it is amazing to be the first place in Wales
to host the Knife Angel and have the opportunity to have
this National Monument in our town. The Knife Angel
visit is not just about Newtown...it’s about Powys and the
whole community, building bridges, standing together,
protecting the vulnerable and re-educating those who
have made serious mistakes in their lives. If communities
stand together they can achieve amazing things and if
Powys could become a county that stands up against
violence…it would be a happier place.
Councillor Joy Jones
______________________________________________
I am honoured to have been able to support
and sponsor the Knife Angel’s first visit to Wales
as we welcome the sculpture to Newtown, Powys.
The Dyfed Powys Police force area is the safest
place in Wales and England and we have very
low levels of violent crime and knife related issues.
However, we must not be complacent to current
trends and my hope as the Police and Crime
Commissioner is for our communities to remain
safe and that we take a preventative approach
in reducing crime over the long term.
The Knife Angel will allow my office and Dyfed Powys Police to work with the community of Newtown and surrounding area to highlight key community safety messages and reduce the fear of crime within the area.
Dafydd Llywelyn, Police and Crime Commissioner
