What is the Knife Angel?

The Knife Angel, also known as the National Monument Against Violence & Aggression, is a 27ft tall, 6.5ft wide sculpture created entirely from seized blades. The Angel was specifically designed to create social change by helping to raise better awareness of how violent and aggressive behaviour effects our communities, by educating and encouraging youth to renounce violence as a means to solve problems, and by acting as a memorial for those lives lost to these unnecessary actions.

Who created the Knife Angel?

The Knife Angel and its concept was created by the British Ironwork Centre. Following an increased prevalence of knife crime within our media back in 2014, Clive Knowles, the Chairman of the British Ironwork Centre, developed the idea of creating an Angel made entirely from knives to highlight the issue of knife crime, but more importantly all forms of violence, plaguing the nation. Alfie Bradley, an employee at the Centre at the time, was tasked with sculpting the Angel alongside the Ironworks’ team.

What is the Knife Angel made from?

The Knife Angel is made from approximately 100,000 knives and blades taken from the streets of Britain. In collaboration with all 43 Police Constabularies in the UK, the blades were collected through knife amnesties and surrenders across the country. Once collected, the blades were safely transported to the Centre, where they were blunted and sterilised before use. A number of weapons even arrived in evidence packaging and included small traces of blood. Families of victims were invited to engrave some of the blades with messages of hope, love and disbelief, which can now be seen on the Angel’s wings.

Where is the Knife Angel now?

Whilst on its National Anti-Violence Tour, the Knife Angel will be located in a different town or city each month. Occasionally, the Knife Angel will make a ‘pit-stop’ back here at the Centre for some much-needed TLC. To find out exactly where the knife is currently located, please visit the ‘Official Knife Angel’ page.

Where has the Knife Angel been?

Since its national tour began back in December 2018, the Knife Angel has visited a number of towns and cities all over the country. As each month passes and the Angel’s journey continues, the list of cities that is has travelled to increases. So far, the Angel has visited the likes of Liverpool, Birmingham, Coventry, Hull and Newtown in Powys, among others. To find out more about where the Angel has been and the impact it has had on each host location, please visit the official ‘Knife Angel on Tour’ page.

Where is the Knife Angel going next?

With so many towns and cities stepping forward to host the Knife Angel every week, its touring schedule is constantly growing and being updated. You can find out where the sculpture is going next by visiting the official ‘National Anti-Violence Tour Schedule’ page.

Can my town or city host the Knife Angel?

More than likely, yes! It is our aim for the Knife Angel to visit as many UK locations as possible before its tour ends in 2021. If you feel that your town or city would greatly benefit from hosting the Knife Angel, please let us know. If you have any further questions with regard to hosting the monument, please read below.

Who is suitable for hosting the Knife Angel?

No matter the size or location of your town or city, we embrace everyone! Our preferred host will choose to orchestrate the Angel’s visit as a community effort, bringing together a hosting group of passionate individuals that represent different aspects of the community. We believe that community collaboration is the best way to get the maximum benefit out of the Angel as it creates the perfect driving force to ensure that the monument’s objectives are positively met.

Who would need to be involved in the hosting group?

It all starts with a passionate person who has the drive and determination to pull everyone together. The person who begins the group could be anyone from the local community who sees the benefits in bringing the National Anti-Violence Tour Programme and the Knife Ange to their town or city. So far, we have seen the likes of a nurse, a mother, and a vicar all step forward to successfully get the Angel to their community. Liverpool, the very first city to host the Angel, saw an A&E nurse start it all as he was on the frontline treating victims of knife crime and violence in his ward. Ideally, a hosting group will include, but is not limited to, an affected parent, education partner, Police & Crime Commissioner’s Office representative, council member, community officer, faith leader, and a youth group such as the “British Youth Council”, among others.

Where should the Knife Angel be placed?

It is largely the location’s choice as to where they decide to place the Angel, but we always recommend choosing an area of relevance where the largest footfall is expected. Obviously, logistical factors will also need to be taken into consideration, but these can be discussed at a later stage once your interest is confirmed. The Knife Angel is designed to be seen by as many people as possible in order for social change to be made. Past locations have chosen to place the Angel outside of cathedrals, art galleries, and within city centre squares.

How much will it cost to host the Knife Angel?

Actual logistical costs will depend entirely on your location but as a broad-brush ballpark figure, delivery, erection and collection will cost approximately £5,000. Any additional costs incurred through the creation of community initiatives, education workshops, or associated material will be entirely up to you and your budget. From our experience, most locations circumnavigate these costs using one of two options:

Available funding: – Some host locations will already have available funding as supplied by the council or Police & Crime Commissioner’s Office. If this is the case for you, the Knife Angel is a very worthwhile way to put this funding to good use. You may choose to put this funding towards educational initiatives, meaning all funding actually goes into education and addressing social change. To cover logistical costs, you can instead utilise community sponsorship to circumnavigate these.

Community support and sponsors: – Local businesses and institutions are usually willing to support and cover your logistical costs. Alternatively, costs can also be circumnavigated by pulling skill-based resources from the wider community. We recommend a community collaboration of local hauliers, businesses and groups in most instances – something which has been successfully achieved a number of times throughout the Angel’s UK tour.

Are there any special requirements associated with hosting the Knife Angel?

We do ask that all hosts sign the ‘Knife Angel Agreement of Conscience’ before a hosting period can be confirmed. This agreement is designed to give you guidance over how to get the maximum benefit out of hosting the monument through public involvement, education programmes, and community collaborations. Most importantly, we ask that all hosts utilise the Angel to conduct 30-day of intensive anti-violence education programmes and workshops for their community youth.