Leicestershire Police have launched a new ‘surrender bin’ initiative, whereby people can put knives into bins as police hope that it will help tackle knife crime across the county.
Surrender bins have been set up in a handful of the county’s police stations as part of Operation Sceptre, the national week of action against knife crime.
Wigston, Spinney Hills and Mansfield House police stations will be housing the surrender bins which people can use to dispose of any knife which may fall into the hands of criminals or which are subject of legislation such as flick knives or so called ‘Zombie’ knives.
Police decided to install the bins following a number of requests from the public.
PC Lee Robinson from Wigston Police Station, who worked in partnership with the local council to arrange the knife surrender bins, said:
“Knife surrender bins are a key part of the force’s Anti Knife Crime strategy to take knives off the street and keep all communities safe.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Willy Bach is also supporting the scheme. He said:
“I hope that this week of action drives home the message that knives are unacceptable, anywhere, any time and in any circumstance. I urge anyone with a knife to take the opportunity this week to dispose of it safely and anonymously using one of the special surrender bins.”
The bins will remain in place for the remainder of Operation Sceptre which runs throughout the week. Leicestershire Police are hoping the that the surrender bins will help prevent/reduce knife crime, as well as other associated offences. Operation Sceptre aims to target those who carry and use knives, as well as the supply, access and importation of weapons.
