A new weapon surrender bin has been installed in Coventry as part of ongoing action to prevent and tackle knife crime and remove dangerous weapons from communities.
The new bin, located at Remembrance Road, The Hagard Community, has been unveiled following work between the West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership, local violence prevention partners and West Midlands Police.
The location was identified following a review of West Midlands Police knife crime data, which highlighted a need for an additional weapon surrender facility in the Willenhall area.
Local partners, including violence prevention leads and community organisations, were then engaged to identify a suitable location for the bin, ensuring it is accessible to the local community.
The installation is part of the investment in and wider expansion of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s weapon surrender bin network across the West Midlands.
The bins provide a safe, secure and anonymous way for members of the public to dispose of unwanted knives, blades and other dangerous weapons. Once deposited, weapons are safely removed by professionals and destroyed.
The importance of the scheme was highlighted earlier this year when almost 2,000 weapons were removed from the streets of the West Midlands in just three months, including knives, guns, swords and machetes.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster said: “I’m pleased to welcome this new weapon surrender bin to the Willenhall community in Coventry.
“We know that these bins make a real difference. Almost 2,000 dangerous weapons were surrendered through the network in just three months earlier this year, meaning thousands of weapons have been removed from homes and communities and safely destroyed.
“Every knife, blade or weapon deposited in one of these bins is one less dangerous weapon that could potentially be used to cause devastating harm.
“Preventing and tackling knife crime and serious violence, keeping people safe and saving lives remains a top priority for me, and I’m pleased that local partners have worked together to identify this location where there is a clear need for a weapon surrender bin.
“I would encourage anyone who has an unwanted knife or other dangerous weapon to make use of this facility and dispose of it safely and responsibly.”
The VRP will continue working with violence prevention partners and local communities across the region to identify suitable locations for additional weapon surrender bins.
The bins are funded and owned by the Police and Crime Commissioner and managed by the West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership, based within the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Members of the public can find their nearest weapon surrender bin and more information about the scheme on the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner’s website.
Anyone who would like to request a weapon surrender bin in their area can contact [email protected].
