Knife Angel's visit to Wolverhampton postponed due to coronavirus
The Knife Angel's month-long visit to Wolverhampton city centre has been put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The 20ft sculpture created from more than 100,000 confiscated and surrendered blades was due to go on display from today until May 1, as part of its nationwide anti-violence tour.
But, with the country on lockdown and businesses and residents ordered to follow social distancing measures to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 – it has been decided to postpone the visit.
Bosses say they are working on plans to bring the Knife Angel back to Wolverhampton at a later date. It had already visited Birmingham and Telford before the pandemic took hold of the country.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, Wolverhampton Council's cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: "Clearly, it was not going to be possible to bring the Knife Angel to Wolverhampton as planned this month given the current national emergency and the social distancing measures which individuals and families are required to follow at this present time.
“Right now, everyone must concentrate their efforts on helping the country deal with the national coronavirus emergency, and that means staying home, protecting the NHS and saving lives.”
Created by the British Ironwork Centre and weighing some 4.5 tons, the Knife Angel is a symbol of hope and cohesion, and a warning of the dangers of carrying and using bladed weapons. It aims to highlight the negative effects of violent and aggressive behaviour and to help bring about social change.
Councillor Jaspal added: "It is important that we do all we can to get the message across that violence needs to stop, and we are working closely with colleagues at the British Ironwork Centre to see whether it will be possible for the Knife Angel to come to Wolverhampton at a later date.
“We hope that having the opportunity to display the Knife Angel in our city at some point in the future will not only help continue to turn the tide against knife crime and all other forms of violent behaviour, but also enable us to remember those whose lives have been lost or irrevocably changed as a result of violent and thoughtless actions.”
