Bolton: 'Knife Angel' leaves town with moving ceremony

The iconic statue had spent the last month on Deansgate in the town centre where it served as a powerful reminder of the impact of knife crime.

A ceremony opened at Bolton Lads and Girls Club on Thursday by the council cabinet member for stronger communities Cllr Rabiya Jiva heard about the striking effect the Knife Angel had had on passers-by.

Cllr Jiva said: “When you visit the monument, you can’t describe it, you’ve got to be there and see the impact that it has.”

She added: “We wanted to get the message out that violence and aggression will not be tolerated and that there are better ways of resolving conflict than using violence.”

The Knife Angel has now left the town centre (Image: Newsquest)

The event held at the Spa Road youth club heard a series of speeches, poems and even a rap performed by a trio of youngsters about the devastation wrought by knife crime.

A video showing how the monument was assembled was also played for the assembled crowds.

Cllr Rabiya Jiva addressing the meeting (Image: Newsquest)

The Knife Angel, also known as the National Monument Against Violence and Aggression, was designed by artist Alfie Bradley and was in place in the town centre throughout November.

The 27-foot-tall statue was made from more than 100,000 seized knives from all over the country and weighs over three tonnes.

Cllr Jiva signing the pledge (Image: Newsquest)

After leaving Bolton it is now set to travel to other areas to spread its message.

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Cllr Jiva said that though the Knife Angel was departing, she hoped that it would leave a lasting legacy in the borough and that it would show other areas the powerful message it displays.

All of the ceremony's attendees were encouraged to show their commitment by signing a pledge against knife crime. 

She said: “I’m looking forward to what we can do as a team to make Bolton’s streets safe for everyone.”

Bolton Lads and Girls Club chief executive Emma Hutchinson said that the sculpture tied into much of the work her organisation is dedicated to doing.

She said: “Having this sculpture in the town centre and all the themes that it has raised has given us the opportunity to have these discussions with our members.”