Following Powys (Wales) being included in the National UK Anti-Violence Tour – with the Knife Angel visiting the region in January 2020 – we hoped to help create a lasting memory and legacy over what was achieved during their 28-days of intensive youth anti-violence engagement. Suggestions from the Powys public were requested and all responses were collected and considered. The ideas proposed by the public were largely connected to either the Welsh Dragon or the Powys Red Kite. The Welsh Dragon proved to be the most popular and, as reflected in its concept art, would achieve the ideal visual representation of Powys’ stance against violence. Like the Knife Angel, the dragon would be constructed entirely from seized blades collected through knife banks and amnesties across the region.

Given the short period with which they had to plan for the Angel’s arrival, Powys did remarkably well. Within a matter of six weeks, councillors from Newtown, the Police & Crime Commissioner’s Office, and outlying areas all cooperated over a county-wide programme of events and workshops. Powys also pioneered two new additions to the Knife Angel’s stay that hadn’t been previously included within the UK Anti-Violence Tour – deputising Youth Anti-Violence Champions and ending their hosting period with a public candlelit procession through the town of Newtown, led by the Powys Police & Crime Commissioner and Chief of Powys Police. These two new additions have now become obligatory to the UK National Anti-Violence Tour and are now fixtures for each and every host city.