Knife Angel statue to be based next to Chesterfield’s Crooked Spire church

The 27ft monument, made from up to 100,000 bladed weapons collected in knife banks during police amnesties across the country, will be based next to the Crooked Spire church from Monday.

MORE: Chesterfield man praised after running into smoke-filled properties to help residents to safety after house blaze

The visit follows the sculpture’s other visit to the county in October 2019, when more than 200,000 people came to see the structure outside Derby Cathedral.

It was created by sculptor Alfie Bradley to highlight the impact knife crime has on people, families and communities.

The Derbyshire Times asked Derbyshire Constabulary why Chesterfield had been chosen to host the Knife Angel but had not received an answer at the time of publication.

Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Angelique Foster said: “The Knife Angel is a powerful statement on the struggle to curb knife crime and prevent more families from suffering senseless pain and loss.

“A number of partner organisations worked together to make the sculpture’s first visit to Derby possible and we are proud to see the Knife Angel back to the county, this time in Chesterfield.

“The Knife Angel vividly reminds us not only of the devastating consequences of violence but also our collective responsibility to take action and change the future for the next generation.

“I hope that the Knife Angel presence in Chesterfield provides educational value for many families and youth organisations by helping to initiate difficult conversations about violence and knife crime and questioning the tragic loss of so many lives.”

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and well-being, said: “I’m really pleased that through the Community Safety Partnership we can support the visit of the Knife Angel to Chesterfield.

“It not only serves as a poignant memorial to reflect on and commemorate lives lost through violence across the UK, it will also serve to engage people and help educate them to ensure that knife crime does not become an issue locally.

“There will also be a series of engaging sessions for young people including community theatre that aims to further strengthen this message,” she added.

MORE: Husband of Chesterfield mum-of-two “dumbfounded” by her killer’s sentence

Support your Derbyshire Times by becoming a digital subscriber. You will see 70 per cent fewer ads on stories, meaning faster load times and an overall enhanced user experience. Visit www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/subscriptions