'Knife Angel' sculpture to leave Carlisle on New Year's Eve

2/12/21. The Knife Angel, on display in Carlisle. ITV

The 'Knife Angel' sculpture is to be taken to Barrow-in-Furness on New Year's Day after spending a month exhibited in Carlisle city centre.

Created by artist Alfie Bradley and the British Ironworks Centre, the sculpture is made out of 100,000 knives and serves as a reminder of the impact of knife crime.

Cumbria Police are holding a "short act of remembrance" at 4:30pm on Thursday 30 December outside the Town Hall, where the sculpture currently stands.

The Angel is in the county as of part of a national Anti-Violence Tour and was secured by Carlisle City Council, Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Constabulary and Barrow Borough Council.

  • The Knife Angel aims to educate people about the consequences of violent crimes

Sergeant Chris Blain of Cumbria Constabulary pointed out that this is the furthest north the angel has ever travelled.

The force tied the visit in to its own campaign to tackle knife crime, Operation Divan and ran an amnesty on weapons this month.

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, said: "We may not have the scale of knife crimes of some big city areas but sadly we do have some. Knife crime can have a devastating impact on victims, families and communities.

“I know that we can get a bit familiar with messages about crime and knife carrying which is why I think that bringing the Knife Angel to Cumbria is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of knife crime and the knock-on effects."

Cumbria County Council member, Deborah Earl, cabinet member for public health and communities, said: “Cumbria County Council welcomes the receipt of the Knife Angel in both Carlisle, and later in Barrow as a poignant memorial of the devastating effects of knife crime."