New fence put around Knife Angel after protest

A NEW fence has been put up around the Knife Angel after complaints emerged about the ‘horrendous’ metal barriers previously surrounding it.

The tall metal barriers have now been replaced with a more subtle black fence.

Coventry City Council said that it was important the sculpture was fenced off for safety reasons but the metal barriers were always just a temporary measure.

Several people took to Twitter to complain that the metal barriers ruined the look of the artwork, which will be on display outside the Cathedral until the end of April.

Radio presenter John Dalziel, known as JD, posted a photo of the sculpture with a tall metal barrier covering the bottom and said: “Come on Coventry City Council we can do better this.

“I’m led to believe it’s cost around £20,000 to host the Knife Angel in Coventry but it’s being ruined by a double fence!”

Many of his followers agreed, with one saying: “Totally agree John. It should have something a little more appropriate to protect it. Invest in some security, perspex screens, etc.”

Another said the barriers made it look “very tacky”.

In another message to the council, a Twitter user named Steve said: “Why have you put a horrendous massive fence up around the Knife Angel?

“All you’ve done is prevent people from being able to take a photo?”

A council spokesperson said: “It’s important that there is fencing around the Knife Angel but earlier today we swapped the temporary fencing for something a bit less intrusive.

“We are delighted that there is so much interest in the Knife Angel we hope it has a positive impact in our city.”

The Knife Angel is a 27ft sculpture made of 100,000 blades.

Created by artist Alfie Bradley, it is made entirely of knives that have been either confiscated by police or handed in at knife amnesties across the UK.

Commissioned by the British Ironwork Centre in Oswestry, Shropshire, it will stand in Coventry until April 23 as a physical reminder of the effects of violence and aggression. The arrival could not be any more timely as the city comes together to tackle knife crime - with a spate of incidents involving knives in recent times. Coventry has seen several high-profile incidents, including the fatal stabbings of Fidel Glasgow, grandson of The Specials’ Neville Staple, 16-year-old Jaydon James and 27-year-old Daniel Kennell. The decision to bring the Knife Angel to Coventry has been supported by the Coventry City of Culture Trust, Coventry Cathedral, Coventry City Council, Coventry Police and the European City of Sport 2019 initiative.