The Knife Angel is coming to Northampton.
The iconic 27-feet-tall statue will be visiting Northampton as part of its nationwide tour to highlight the issue of knife crime in the UK.
The statue, which was designed by Alfie Bradley at the British Ironwork Centre (BIC) in Oswestry, has been created from over 100,000 knives and blades confiscated by the UK’s 43 police forces.
The Knife Angel will be on display at the All Saints’ Church plaza in Northampton town centre for two weeks from Friday, 29 April to Friday, 13 May. First unveiled in 2017, it travels around the country in a bid to help reduce violent crime.
The Knife Angel has been brought to the town by West Northants Council (WNC), C2C Social Action and the Office of Northamptonshire Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner (OFPCC). The Northampton Town Community Trust is a partner working with these organisations to help raise awareness about this issue.
Councillor David Smith, cabinet member for community engagement and safety at West Northamptonshire Council, said: “Having the knife angel in Northampton gives us the opportunity to highlight the blight that is knife crime is. All violent crime is abhorrent, the devastation left by knife crime is simply not acceptable and this initiative will raise awareness across the whole of West Northamptonshire. We are delighted to welcome the angel to West Northamptonshire, and I very much encourage everyone to visit the town to experience this sculpture, and the activities we are running alongside this important initiative.”
The Explore Northampton app (downloadable for free from the App Store) will offer an interactive experience with the option to view the Knife Angel in augmented reality along with other activities.
Angie Kennedy, CEO of C2C Social Action said: “The Knife Angel campaign is looking for 10,000 people across the county to sign up to be ‘Anti Violence Ambassadors’, with a pledge to turn away from violence and aggression as a solution to disagreements and conflicts.”
Please visit britishironworkcentre.co.uk/show-areas/the-knife-angel-official
Local events around the Knife Angel Visit:
• There will be a service and vigil at All Saints’ Church on Saturday, 30 April at 7.30pm to mark the Knife Angel’s visit to the town. Following the service candles will be lit around the sculpture as a symbol of light against darkness.
• School workshops aimed at giving pupils from across West Northants an understanding of the statue’s message. Inclusion officer Anna Letts from NTFC Community Trust will be delivering some of these workshops. More details will follow soon on dates and venues for school workshops, aimed at year 6. Please email forums.NBC@westnorthants.gov.uk to show your expression of interest.
• A march against knife crime is also planned through Northampton town centre on Saturday 7 May, followed by a series of performances organised by local charity Off the Streets.
• The Northamptonshire Emergency Cadets and the WNC Community Safety Team will be in the town centre giving emergency first aid training and safety demonstrations on Saturday, 30 April, Sunday, 1 May, Saturday, 7 May and Sunday, 8 May.
• A knife amnesty will also be taking place, with anyone able to dispose of blades with no questions asked and no fear of reprisals.
The NTFC Community Trust runs the ‘Premier League Kicks’ programme; using football to engage young people in positive diversionary activity away from anti-social behaviour, gangs and knife crime. Weekly free informal coaching sessions take place in areas of the county with higher deprivation and crime statistics.
Part of this programme includes participants attending educational workshops to raise awareness on different areas of crime. The Blackthorn Kicks football group will be visiting the Knife Angel on Tuesday 3rd May 2022 and attending a knife crime workshop in the Guildhall. This will be led by Premier League Kicks co-ordinator Anna Letts.
Please see ntfccommunity.co.uk/pl-kicks