OSWESTRY’S Knife Angel sculpture has been located in its new temporary home.

The National Monument Against Violence and Aggression moved to Hull on Monday (February 4) to begin a 28-day stint in the East Yorkshire city.

Usually based in Oswestry, the sculpture which was designed by Alfie Bradley and The British Ironwork Centre, has embarked on a tour of the country after spending almost two months in Liverpool.

Chief executive of the Ironwork Centre Clive Knowles has spoken of his delight to see the sculpture making an impact across the UK.

“It’s fantastic to see the knife angel go to Hull – it’s a city which showed a lot of interest,” he said.

“Viking FM radio station visited us along with the police, a community group and the sister of a victim of a fatal stabbing. They visited in April to tell us they wanted it to visit Hull.”

Mr Knowles continued: “What’s very special about Hull is the effort they have gone to educate the youngsters in the region.

“They are having a large marquee near the Knife Angel to give talks to schools and youth clubs about how society has been reduced to violent behaviour involving weapons, and how we can change that.”

The education of youngsters is something Mr Knowles hopes the Knife Angel can help with across the nation.

It is an idea which is also being adopted by the next destination for the sculpture, as it is set to move to Coventry following its time in Hull.

He added: “It is extremely important to educate younger people about this issue.

“Coventry is a place which has seen the highest increase of knife crime outside London.

“Right now, it is on the back foot and they’re looking at doing everything they can to stop it.

“It has asked to have the sculpture for two months with an even bigger educational campaign for the youngsters there.

“Following that, we have started talks with Nottingham to be the fourth city to home the Knife Angel.

“We want the sculpture moving around the country as it seems knife crime is now worse than it has ever been statistically.

“We want the Knife Angel to fulfil its purpose and help to put an end to this national embarrassment.”

Clive added that the ultimate goal remains to have the sculpture based in London eventually.

He said: “Trafalgar Square and London in general was always the main objective, but we’re absolutely delighted it’s been on a UK tour.

“We have been speaking with the Bishop of Edmonton about the possibility of it going there too.

“The Bishop wears a crucifix around his neck made of melted down knives – so the fight against knife crime is something he’s very passionate about.

“Dealing with victims of incidents on a regular basis must make it really clear how big the problem is.

“Around 60 per cent of the blades on the Knife Angel are from London, so for it to not go to London would be a national travesty.”

The sculpture will remain in Hull until March 4 at Hull’s Queens Gardens.