Thousands back petition for Shropshire Knife Angel to go on display in Trafalgar Square

The Shropshire Knife Angel, being created at the British Ironwork Centre in Oswestry, is made from about 100,000 knives either confiscated by police or handed in as part of a knife amnesty.

Its aim is to raise countrywide awareness of Britain's knife crime epidemic with its 'Save a Life, Surrender Your Knife' slogan.

Sculpture Alfie Bradley is putting the finishing touches to the huge sculpture in a special studio at the centre.

Clive Knowles, from the Ironworks, said since the sculpture had received national publicity, families of victims of knife crimes had been in touch, asking that the names of their loved ones be inscribed, along with a message, on a knife on the angel.

"Alfie is currently working on about 50 messages from bereaved families," he said.

"We hope to see the sculpture go on a tour of Britain, taking its anti-knife message with it. We would like that tour to begin with a spot on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square and are petitioning the government, and London Mayor, Sadiq Khan calling for permission to put the knife angel on the fourth plinth.

"The prevalent and ever growing problem of knives is currently going unchallenged by many, with more weapons than ever on our streets.

"The monument was created for one purpose, to highlight this extensive problem. Both government and the educational system need to open their eyes and we can only succeed in doing this with public support."

Last week, a Spanish inscription was put onto one of the knife angel's feathers by Emma Lozano, who is currently studying in Shropshire.

Emma, from Valencia, said: "Being able to see the Knife Angel in person was a wonderful experience. The first thing I thought was how beautiful and impressive it is and how talented Alfie Bradley is.

"I believe it is a brilliant way to honour the victims and highlight the knife crime situation. When I thought about the fact that all these knives were weapons that police had confiscated, I realised that this is a problem that needs to be addressed. I felt privileged about being chosen to represent the Spanish people by writing a sentence to go on the sculpture."

Anyone who wants to sign the petition can call into the Ironworks or go online at surrenderyourknife.co.uk