Permanent knife surrender bins installed in Swindon

Four permanent knife surrender bins have been installed around Swindon.

The move is part of efforts by Wiltshire Police to encourage people to hand in any bladed weapons they are carrying.

The bins have been strategically placed outside buildings in four key community areas in the town: Broadgreen Community Centre, Pinetrees Community Centre in Pinehurst, Walcot Dome and Liden Library.

They have been introduced with the aim of removing weapons from the streets by providing a safe place where people can drop them off anonymously.

Acting Inspector Tristan Winter, based in Swindon, said: “We absolutely recognise the significant community concern that knife crime is having in Swindon and these bins are a new feature in our approach to tackle it.

“We’ve seen the success of temporary knife surrender bins in the past, for example during a fortnight in May when more than 400 weapons and bladed articles were surrendered in bins across the county.

“Each of those knives being surrendered could mean a life being saved.

“That’s why we’ve introduced these four surrender bins permanently in Swindon – to give people and our young people in particular the opportunity to surrender any knives they are carrying anonymously.”

The bright orange bins have been specially designed with safety and security in mind, preventing them from being broken into.

They are fitted with a double-locking mechanism and bolted into the concrete, and located in community areas regularly patrolled by officers.

A/Insp Winter continued: “Tackling knife crime remains a priority for the force and we are determined to reduce the number of incidents where people have been caught carrying a knife, or in some cases using them.

“By carrying a knife, you are putting yourself and the people around you, such as your family and friends, at risk, and the consequences of it can be lifelong.

“Please consider the choices you are making. Making different decisions – while often the hardest thing to do – is the safest.”

Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “Tackling knife crime is central to my police and crime plan, and I would encourage people to safely discard any weapons or knives they may carry in the ‘knife surrender bins’ provided by Wiltshire Police.

 “The bins are in areas where we know they are needed, and offer people a safe and anonymous way of getting rid of a knife.

 “Across the country, thousands of weapons have been collected in similar bins and every knife collected in Swindon could potentially save a life.”

The bins have been launched as part of Operation Sceptre – a national knife crime initiative to raise awareness of the issue.

Officers are conducting a range of intensive action including enforcement activity, knife safety sweeps, high visibility patrols and partnership work with schools, colleges and youth groups.