Shropshire Knife Angel: One in five blades contaminated with blood, says boss
One in five blades donated for an anti-knife sculpture are contaminated with blood, says its Shropshire mastermind.
Clive Knowles, from the British Ironwork Centre in Oswestry, has been collecting knives for the Knife Angel sculpture.
It is made up of knives from surrender bins installed by police across the country and is on display at the centre.
With 250,000 knives coming in since the sculpture completion, Mr Knowles wants to create a plinth for the sculpture.
He said: “It is worrying when you see the shapes and sizes some of these knives are when they come in.
“And then you see around 20 per cent are contaminated with blood. It hits home when you see that and makes you realise how important is we get these off the streets.”
Mr Knowles is supporting our sister paper, the Express & Star’s campaign for a review of knife sales in the UK.
He said: “Anything to stop these knives getting into the wrong hands is a good thing.
“The process of selling needs to be looked at. It really is bizarre what you can buy out there.”
There are currently 14 weapon surrender bins in the West Midlands.
Anyone with information on those carrying a knife should call police on 101.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org
