Trafalgar Square call to Boris over Shropshire knife sculpture

The Knife Angel is being created at the British Ironworks in Oswestry, from thousands of weapons donated by police forces across Britain.

Those behind the 25ft tall knife sculpture have written to London Mayor Boris Johnson asking that it take its place on the 'fourth plinth' in Trafalgar Square.

The plinth plays host to guest works of art, including the recent installation of a horse skeleton.

But an initial letter from the mayor's office in the capital has suggested that the knife sculpture could be too tall to sit on the platform.

The Knife Angel, which is yet to be revealed in its entirety is being created by sculptor Alfie Bradley who says he expects to use 100,000 knifes of all shapes and sizes by the time it is finished.

It was originally designed to increase awareness of knife crime, using confiscated and donated knives and bladed weapons.

But recently it has also become a tribute to those who have lost their lives to knife crime.

Mothers of knife crime victims are contacting British Ironworks asking to engrave personal tributes to their children on individual blades.

Lisa McNeil, from Chirk, whose son, 21-year-old Danny Jones, was killed in a knife attack in Oswestry in 2013, is one of those who have inscribed a message onto a sword that will being incorporated into the angel.

The chairman of the British Ironworks, Clive Knowles, said the initial response from the Mayor of London's office was disappointing.

"They have suggested that the Knife Angel may be too tall and that the plinth is fully booked until 2020.

"But I don't think they appreciate just what a powerful and national sculpture this is. I would like Boris to come up to Shropshire and see it for himself and to understand what it stands for."

Police chief constables including those from West Mercia, Cheshire and North Wales have endorsed the project by symbolically welding a knife onto the statue.

Another supporter in North Shropshire MP, Owen Paterson who pledged to contact Boris Johnson to ask that it sit on the fourth plinth.

When he was shown the sculpture part built he said he was staggered.

I had no idea of the scale of knife crime in British until now or of the type of weapons that are on our streets. This is appalling."

"The British Ironworks' Save a Life, Surrender a Knife campaign is a marvellous project, not only to create a new piece of art but in doing so to help take these knives out of circulation.

"This is a fantastic sculpture and deserves to sit on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square."