Knife Angel statue returns to county

A giant statue of an angel made from more than 100,000 bladed weapons has returned to Shropshire, on a national knife-crime awareness tour.

The 27ft (8m) sculpture was commissioned by the British Ironworks Centre near Oswestry and created by sculptor Alfie Bradley in 2018.

It was made out of weapons surrendered to police forces around the country and has been taken around towns and cities in the UK to support anti-knife crime campaigns.

It arrived in Shrewsbury on Tuesday and is scheduled to remain in the town centre for the next six weeks.

Town clerk Helen Ball said the town council would work with schools, community organisations and other groups during its stay and would arrange a series of activities and events.

She said the statue "carries a powerful message about the devastating impact of knife crime and the importance of working together to create safer communities".

The statue is also a memorial to those who have lost their lives because of knives.

Clive Knowles, chairman of British Ironworks, said: "We are delighted that Shrewsbury is joining the growing number of towns and cities standing together against violence."

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