The Knife Angel arrives in Milton Keynes
NHBC is proud to support Action4Youth and the launch of the Knife Angel sculpture in Milton Keynes from 3 December 2022 at Stadium MK, marking the start of a month-long campaign against violence.
The aim of the sculpture is to raise awareness of violent behaviour and aggression and the long-lasting negative effects of violence on communities, families and victims.
The Knife Angel acts as a focal point, bringing together schools, parents, voluntary organisations, places of worship, community groups, local venues and businesses to take a stand together against violence in all forms.
The sculpture and the month of action in Milton Keynes is a partnership between Thames Valley Police, the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner, Milton Keynes City Council, MK Dons Sports and Educational Trust and The Safety Centre Charity Hazard Alley.
Sponsored by several local businesses including NHBC, Action4Youth have also created a Breakout Programme that supports their drive to reduce knife crime in Milton Keynes by offering intensive intervention for vulnerable young people at risk of involvement in gangs.
Toni Archer, Strategy and Change Manager at NHBC said “The Knife Angel is a truly striking sculpture that opens up the difficult conversation about knife crime and its lasting impact on all those it touches. It has been a privilege to support the sculpture through NHBC colleagues volunteering as marshals, and also for us to be involved with Action4Youth’s work to address this important issue in Milton Keynes through their Breakout Programme.”
The Knife Angel was created in 2018 by the artist Alfie Bradley and the British Ironworks Centre in Oswestry. It stands at 27 ft tall and is made from around 100,000 knives collected as part of a knife amnesty by police forces across the UK. The sculpture will be in Milton Keynes until the closing ceremony on 7 January 2023.