Two new weapon surrender bins have been installed in The West Midlands for people to dispose of knives, blades, and sharp objects. The third bin will be installed over the coming weeks. The two bins have been placed outside McDonald's on Bordesley Green Belchers Lane and outside Cornbow Shopping Centre in Halesowen.
Once the location with the greatest impact on knife crime is selected, a third bin will be installed in Coventry at the end of this month. This is part of a joint effort by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson to resolve violence. The bins in place provide people with a safe and reliable place to dispose of weapons.
West Midlands Police Crime Commissioners office already have 17 bins in the region. These newly added bins will increase the total to 20. In the past few years, so far, thousands of knives and weapons have been stored in PCC weapon surrender boxes in the area. Trash bins will be installed after consultation with local communities and partner organizations. Since 2012, the knife crime rate in West Midlands has more than doubled and is critical that something is done about it.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamison said: “We're taking a number of steps to get knives off the streets, and these bins are only one of them. The bins provide a legal and safe option for people to dispose of knives they shouldn't be carrying. Every knife placed in a surrender bin has the potential to save a life. These bins are most successful when the community requests them, and I've been hearing loud and clear that more are required”.
“Knives have the power to destroy people's lives, families' lives, and entire communities. If you have or know someone who has a knife or other weapon, I highly advise you to rid of it in one of these bins”.
Birmingham City Council Social Inclusion, Community Safety, and Equality Cabinet Member Cllr John Cotton commented:
“I think we can all agree that reducing knife crimes on our streets is a top priority. Consequently, I think the inclusion of more knife boxes is a good idea. To save lives, people will be asked to hand up any blades or knives they may have. Everyone, from individual people to the council and other public agencies, has a role to play in combating knife crime and making Birmingham and beyond safer for all.”
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