Knife Angel: Striking sculpture could be on its way to Reading

The British Ironworks Centre’s National Monument Against Violence and Aggression - also known as the ‘Knife Angel’ - is currently touring the UK helping to educate youngsters about knife crime and other violent issues.

And the sculpture could soon be on its way to Reading after the father of Olly Stephens -- the 13-year-old who was horrifically stabbed to death in January 2021 - enquired about bringing the art piece to the town.

Pre-approval has been granted to bring the statue to Reading, but community efforts are needed to physically transport it to the town.

READ MORE: The stabbings that made 2021 a year to forget for Reading

Should the sculpture arrive later this year, it would stay for 30 days and comes with an obligation for community leaders to roll out workshops and education programmes about knife crime for youngsters.

Upon completion, participants will get a certificate giving them ‘anti-violence champion’ status.

Speaking to the Chronicle, Olly’s father Stuart said: “The idea is to get the young children to stand up and take ownership of what is going on.

The Knife Angel touring the UK. Images via British Ironworks Centre

“There is a certificate they can work for to become community guardians.

“If any kid is in trouble they then have someone they can talk to.

“As a society, we must invest in our children again. We wish to raise awareness and education around the dangers of carrying knives.”

Its potential arrival in Reading would come on the back of a terrible past year for the town in which more than a dozen stabbings were recorded.

That included the fatal stabbing of Olly Stephens, who died at the hands of three teenagers in Emmer Green in January 2021.

READ MORE: Residents caught carrying knives in 2021

In February 2021, two men in their twenties were knifed to death in Caversham and Tilehurst.

And in October, another Tilehurst man, also in his twenties, died after being stabbed.

The Knife Angel is a monument that was created in 2015 after the Home Office agreed to pass on the knives surrendered in 200 knife amnesty banks created by the British Ironworks Centre in order to build the sculpture.

More than 100,000 knives handed in by 43 police forces make up the Knife Angel, with 30 per cent of them still in tubes as they were still bloodied.

The Knife Angel touring the UK. Images via British Ironworks Centre

The artwork is intended as a monument standing against all violence and forms of aggression, including domestic abuse, bullying and similar issues.

It is touring the UK and is currently in Barrow, Cumbria -- its 17th stop so far.

Each group that brings the angel to a new town or city is obligated to complete a report explaining the benefits of the posting and setting out what bringing the sculpture to its new location achieved.

READ MORE: Family of Olly Stephens praises power of community as dozens remember popular teen

Clive Knowles, Chairman of the British Ironworks Centre, told the Chronicle: “This goes beyond the 30 days [the sculpture is in town].

“They are committed to putting on programmes and initiatives that are ongoing.

The Knife Angel touring the UK. Images via British Ironworks Centre

“That is the legacy that is left behind.

“We didn’t build the angel and think ‘that’s the problem solved’.

“It is a representation of the nation’s intolerance to violence but extra effort is needed to push violence back.

“The Knife Angel doesn’t come on its own -- it comes with an education programme.”

READ MORE: The people who supported Olly Stephens' family in their hour of need

That educational programme gives young people the chance to renounce violence and consequently become anti-violence champions.

The Knife Angel touring the UK. Images via British Ironworks Centre

Each champion will receive a certificate and a badge designed to thank them for their efforts in ending violence.

Clive added: “That youth then feels responsible in their social circle to resist and reject violent behaviour and find new ways of talking and thinking about violence.”