West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, is continuing his mission to help combat the scourge of knife crime as more deadly weapons are taken off the streets.
The PCC was in Aston, Birmingham, this week to witness the emptying of one of his 31 weapon surrender bins that are dotted around the West Midlands.
The containers are there for the public to safely dispose of knives, machetes, swords, firearms and other dangerous weapons, with the contents inside collected and later destroyed.
During the last round of emptying between April, May and June 2024, 1,118 weapons were deposited in the PCC’s 31 weapon surrender bins, 151 of which were found in the container at Tesco, Town Gate Retail Park, in Dudley, while as many as 90 were discovered at Tesco in Aston.
PCC Simon Foster said: “People really do appreciate the existence of the network of weapon surrender bins. I think people understand they’re an important initiative.
“They are but one contribution in tackling and reducing knife crime, which remains a top priority for me as Police and Crime Commissioner.
“As I keep stressing, every knife, blade or weapon placed in a surrender bin, is potentially a life saved.”
You can see where your nearest weapon surrender bin is via our interactive map right here.
READ MORE: PCC urges people with zombie knives to hand them in now – or face full force of the law
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