Almost 2000 weapons have been taken off the streets of the West Midlands in the last three months, thanks to the Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster’s weapon surrender bins.
The 30 bins across the region were recently emptied, resulting in 1,864 weapons including ninja swords, zombie knives and kitchen knives being recovered.
Weapon surrender bins provide an opportunity for the public to safely dispose of knives, machetes, swords, firearms and other dangerous weapons.
The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster said: “Preventing and tackling knife crime and violence is a top priority for me.
“Between March and May this year, 1,864 weapons, including knives, guns, swords and machetes were deposited into these bins. That means fewer dangerous weapons out on the streets.
“There have been recent reductions in knife crime. That is welcome. However, we cannot and we never will be complacent. One victim of knife crime is one too many.
“I am doubling the number of weapon surrender bins across the West Midlands – so that we can remove more dangerous weapons from the streets – and continue to prevent and tackle knife crime, keep people safe and save lives.”
The bins are funded and owned by the Police and Crime Commissioner and managed by the region’s Violence Reduction Partnership (WM VRP), based in the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
You can find the location of the bins and more information here.
https://www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/preventing-crime/knife-crime/weapon-surrender-bins/
The WM VRP work closely with each local violence reduction board to identify and agree new weapon surrender bin locations.
If you would like to request a weapon surrender bin in your area, please contact [email protected].
