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, Coventry City Council, 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.
Coventry City Council as well as violence prevention leads and community organisations, identified 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.
As one part of the wider prevention work, the bins provide a safe, secure and anonymous way for people to dispose of unwanted knives, blades and other dangerous weapons.
Once deposited, weapons are safely removed by professionals and destroyed.
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.”
Councillor John McNicholas, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Cohesion, attended the event and added: “We are delighted to be working alongside the West Midlands Crime Commissioner and the West Midlands Violence and Reduction partnership to bring a further weapons surrender bin to Coventry.
“Alongside this, we work with our partners to tackle knife crime in lots of different ways including working with schools, hospitals and the Youth Offending Service. It’s a really important joint approach.
“We all know the terrible impact of weapons crime and we will continue to work diligently with the Police, Ward Councillors, local people and all or partners to address this issue.”
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 vrp@westmidlands.police.uk.