THE FIRST of three new weapon surrender bins have been installed across the region.
The bins offer people a place to safely and securely dispose of knives, blades and sharp objects are part of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), David Jamieson, bid to tackle violence.
The two bins already in place have been positioned outside McDonalds on Belchers Lane in Bordesley Green and outside the Cornbow Shopping Centre in Halesowen.
And a third bin will be installed in Coventry by the end of the month, once a location has been chosen which will have the greatest impact on knife crime.
There are now 20 bins like these installed across the region with one already in Coventry.
However no bins are located in Solihull on the PCC’s map.
According to Mr Jamieson thousands of knives and weapons have been deposited into the weapon surrender bins across the region over the last few years.
The bins are installed in consultation with the local community and partner organisations.
Knife crime has more than doubled across the West Midlands since 2012.
The Mr Jamieson, said: “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 prove most effective when the community wants them and the message I have been receiving loud and clear is that more are needed.
“Knives can ruin the lives of individuals, families and entire communities. If you have a knife or any weapon, or know somebody who does, I strongly recommend you dispose of it in one of these bins.”
The weapons recovered from the bins will be destroyed.
A map of all of the PCC’s weapon surrender bins in the West Midlands can be viewed at https://www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/tackling-violence/weapon-surrender-bins/
