A UNIQUE sculpture fashioned from 100,000 knives recovered from the country’s streets will be erected outside Coventry Cathedral.
The 27-foot high Knife Angel was designed by sculptor Alfie Bradley of the British Ironworks Centre (BIC) based in Oswestry.
It is touring the country to raise awareness of knife crime and send a message to prevent violence in the future.
BIC chairman Clive Knowles spoke to us passionately about the project and the bid to bring it to Coventry.
He confirmed the sculpture will be positioned outside the cathedral from March where it will remain for about two months.
Each blade used in the sculpture has been inscribed with the name of a victim of knife crime to honour their memory.
Mr Bradley was said to be inspired by hearing of the country’s dwindling police forces struggling to contend with rising knife crime.
BIC and Mr Bradley then teamed up with the 43 police forces across the country so that the blades they recovered could be used to bring the concept to life.
Mr Knowles said about a third of the knives received from police forces had blood on them and were transported in bio-hazard tubes.
He said it is important the angel goes to the most ‘troubled’ cities where knife crime has been a particular problem.
The BIC was ‘bowled over’ by Coventry’s bid, he added, especially after it was awarded UK City of Culture 2021 status.
Speaking of the statue he said: “It is a controversial figure, it was meant to be.
“But the image of the angel was designed to span all faiths, as an image of peace.
“It will conjure up pictures for people outside the city. Almost a dream like vision.
“It deliberately displays an expression of confusion. It is perplexed about why there is so much violence and why we are all hurting each other.
“We hope it will ignite debate and conversations between government, police forces and educational bodies.
“And turn the tide on a national blight.”
The angel has been outside Liverpool Cathedral and is soon to be moved to Hull.
Knife crime is especially topical in Coventry after 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.
