THE SOLIHULL West and Shirley MP has called for a weapon surrender bin to be installed in Shirley.
Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst has written a letter to the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to include the town in his expansion of the region’s weapon surrender programme.
The initiative will see an additional 32 weapon surrender bins deployed across the West Midlands.
Between January and March 2025 alone, more than 1,700 weapons were voluntarily surrendered by the public using these secure and anonymous drop-off points.
Dr Shastri-Hurst said whilst this measure represents significant progress in combatting violent crime, there remains a clear gap in coverage within the Solihull area – particularly in Shirley.
The Conservative MP added with a population approaching 40,000, Shirley lacks a dedicated surrender facility.
Potential locations such as Shirley High Street or Parkgate have been identified as suitable due to their accessibility and visibility.
In his letter to the PCC, Dr Shastri-Hurst wrote: “Sadly, knife crime continues to cast a long shadow over the West Midlands, which still records the second highest rate of knife-related offences in England and Wales.
“This is not just a statistic – it reflects real tragedies, affecting families and communities in ways that are both painful and enduring.
“We cannot and should not accept this as the status quo. That is why I believe we need to take sensible, practical steps to make a real difference.
“One such measure is the wider installation of weapon surrender bins, which allow individuals to safely and anonymously dispose of knives and other dangerous items.
“These bins have proven to be an effective part of a broader strategy to reduce violent crime and keep our streets safer.”
Anyone who wishes to request a surrender bin in their community should contact the PCC’s office on [email protected].
