The significance of this moving monument floods over all of us who are able to stare up into its hollowed eyes and a face wreathed in agony. It certainly sent a shiver up my spine.
The 27-foot-tall, all-steel Knife Angel is now in Milton Keynes MK Dons Stadium till early January 2023. It was commissioned to bring attention to the destructive nature of violent behaviour and to reinforce the urgent need for societal reform through a powerful symbolic gesture. The Knife Angel is both a moving tribute, honouring those whose lives were cut short by violence and a powerful symbol for turning the tide against aggressive and violent behaviour.
The Knife Angel is built with over 100,000 knives and bladed articles. Even though this monument is a potent symbol and serves as a memorial to those whose lives were taken, I can't help but think of the lives that may have been spared because of it.
In the month of September 2022, there were 57 knife-related offences reported in Milton Keynes. That's about two a day. There were 17 arrests and many more released under investigation. That’s our children that’s getting involved, that’s our families being affected, and that’s our community being put at risk.
Recently TVP installed Knife amnesty bins in Westcroft Centre, Wimborne Crescent, Westcroft and at the Frank Moran Centre, Melrose Avenue, Bletchley. There’s one at TVP in Witan Gate East Milton Keynes. If you have any bladed articles, or know of anyone who has any, please do drop them off at the nearest Knife Amnesty bin.
The Knife Angel urges us to reflect. This is definitely a conversation starter, and it is imperative that we do start talking about the effect that knife crime has on our own children, families and communities. Let’s get the conversation started and work to protect our own.
If you have the time please do go and have a look and take your family and friends along.
