The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner will today reveal the latest collection of blades that have been emptied from the region’s weapon surrender bins.
The PCC maintains 12 surrender bins across the region which are designed to offer people a place to dispose of weapons safely.
Weapon surrender bins have been rolled out across the West Midlands as part of ongoing work to tackle violent crime.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: These bins are just one measure we are taking to get knives off our streets. They continue to prove their success and I am keen to roll them out further across the West Midlands.
“The bins are providing people with a legal and safe way to dispose of knives which they shouldn’t be carrying. Every knife posted into a surrender bin is potentially a life saved.
“These bins work best when the community wants them and the message I have been receiving loud and clear is that more are needed and that is what I am delivering on.
“Knives can ruin the lives of not just individuals but their families and friends as well. If you have a knife or any weapon, or know somebody who does, I strongly recommend that you dispose of it in one of these bins.”
The PCC is expanding the programme which will see 20 surrender bins in the region by April 2019.
The weapon surrender bins are part of ongoing work around tackling gangs and violence in the West Midlands and relates closely to the recommendations of the PCC’s Gangs and Violence Commission.
In the ONS crime statistics released on July 19th it was shown that the West Midlands had a rise in knife crime of 19% compared to the previous year.
West Midlands Police knife crime lead Superintendent Ian Parnell said: “One knife-related crime is one too many. The consequences of carrying knives can be catastrophic. We’ve seen people suffer very serious injuries as well as the impact it has on families and communities.
“If you carry or use a knife you are likely to be arrested and prosecuted and, if found guilty, likely to face a substantial prison sentence.”
The weapons which have been recovered from the bins will now be destroyed.
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