Residents are being encouraged to make use of Wolverhampton’s network of 8 weapon surrender bins as a national knife and weapons surrender campaign continues.
The Home Office’s national surrender campaign, which runs until 28 August, is encouraging people dispose of knives and other dangerous weapons safely and anonymously.
Wolverhampton’s weapon surrender bins form part of the wider network available across the West Midlands and can be found at:
New Testament Church of God, Wednesfield Road, Heath Town
Tabernacle Baptist Church, Dunstall Road, Whitmore Reans
Morrisons, Black Country Route, Bilston
St Peter’s Collegiate Church, Wolverhampton
St Chad and St Mark’s Church, Lime Street, Pennfields
Phoenix Park, Dudley Road, Wolverhampton
St Joseph’s Church, Coalway Road, Merry Hill
Green Lane/Prouds Lane junction, Bilston.
The secure metal bins enable people to anonymously dispose of knives, blades and other dangerous objects. All items deposited are collected and safely destroyed.
A further weapon surrender bin is due to be installed outside West Park in the coming weeks.
Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: “National campaigns like the one currently underway help raise awareness of the dangers of carrying knives and the opportunities available for people to dispose of weapons safely and anonymously.
“Sadly, knives and other dangerous weapons are very easy to obtain. If we are able to get them off our streets, they cannot be used to commit a crime or cause injury.
“It should be remembered that incidents of knife related crime remain rare in Wolverhampton, and this is one example of a continued robust partnership response to keep our city safe.”
Each bin has been commissioned by either the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner or the Home Office, and Councillor Ahmed added: “Every weapon surrendered is potentially a weapon that cannot be used to harm someone, which is why we would encourage anyone who wishes to dispose of a knife or other dangerous item to make use of these facilities.”