Amazing sculpture made of 100,000 surrendered knives coming to Coventry

The Knife Angel is a national monument against violence and aggression

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Laura HartleySport audience and content editor

17:24, 14 FEB 2019
Updated11:13, 14 MAR 2019

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A 27ft sculpture made out of 100,000 surrendered knives will be coming to Coventry.

In a period where the city has seen a number of stabbings and incidents involving knives, the sculpture being placed at the Cathedral will be a timely reminder of the dangers of knives.

Coventry has seen several high-profile attacks, including the fatal stabbings of The Specials’ Neville Staple’s grandson Fidel Glasgow, 16-year-old Jaydon James and 27-year-old Daniel Kennell.

The Knife Angel was created by sculptor, Alfie Bradley at Oswestry’s British Ironwork Centre.

It is a national monument against violence and aggression and aims to show the impact knife crime has on people's lives.

The amazing sculpture is made up of more than 100,000 knives that have been confiscated from 43 police forces across the country.

Knife angel in Liverpool

The 27-foot-high sculpture is made of more than 100,000 knives

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Beginning its journey stood outside of Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral over the Christmas holidays, the Angel has since travelled to the Queen’s Gardens in Hull, and is now set to continue its journey onwards to Coventry in March.

The Angel is set to be placed on a raised platform outside of Coventry’s Cathedral Ruins for the Easter period where it will help to front the Cathedral entryway next to a sculpture of the Angel St Michael, erected in 1958.

"Sick and tired"

Ed Ruane, Cabinet member for housing and communities said: "I am sick and I am tired, and I want Coventry to be sick and tired with me.

"I am sick of learning about the stabbings of more young people in our city.

"I am sick and tired of having to explain to Central Government who continue to ignore the impact austerity is having on our communities.

"We need change, we are a City of Peace and Reconciliation, but what does that really mean to our young people growing up in communities where violent crime is ever increasing.

"If we truly are a United Kingdom, then why are so many of our young people divided by opportunity in our inner cities today?

"Coventry Telegraph have been great in supporting the SayNotoKnives campaign and we're hoping to get a petition presented at 10, Downing Street very soon as part of the campaign to apply political pressure and bring about the change we so desperately need."

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Mike O’Hara, Chief Superintendent of Coventry Police , said police cannot tackle knife crime without support, and the knife angel is symbolic of the support they have.

He said: “West Midlands Police cannot tackle knife crime without the support of partners and the community.

"The Knife Angel is symbolic of the support we have and the commitment we have from the people and groups I have spoken to.

"As well as standing alongside all those affected by knife crime we want to urge those who carry knives to recognise the pain they cause themselves and others as we work to a day when we truly see peace in our streets."

Stark reminder of violent crime

The Right Reverend Dr Christopher Cocksworth, Bishop of Coventry said: “The Knife Angel is a stark reminder of a form of violent crime infecting our city and threatening lives with great danger, especially our young people.

“It also speaks the Coventry Story - that weapons of hate and destruction can be re-worked into symbols of peace and hope, signalling a new future where violence is overcome.

“Together with people of every faith and none, we will not only care for the bereaved of such crimes but do all we can to build the sort of culture that eradicates their causes.

“I’m really glad that the Knife Angel will stand near St Michael, the guardian angel and patron of Coventry’s Cathedral.”