175 knives surrendered in Bristol since installation of community surrender bins

POLICE today revealed that 175 knives and bladed articles have been handed over in Bristol following the installation of two community 'surrender bins'.

Avon and Somerset Police set up the bins in Castle Park and The Park Centre in April 2023 to encourage people to safely and anonymously surrender knives to prevent them from causing harm.

Following the success of the scheme, two new community bins will be installed in East Bristol later this month at Staple Hill, Broad Street (opposite Page Park) and at Trojan Free Fighters, St Jude's, BS2 9DA.

Knife Crime Lead, Chief Inspector Mike Vass, said: “It’s great to see that these two new community bins are being used. Whether it’s just people surrendering their kitchen knives or young people discarding potential weapons, either way, it’s taking these potentially harmful items off our streets and out of the hands of young people. 

“Some of the weapons we have seen surrendered into these bins have been exactly the sort that we are concerned about on our streets. This is a reminder to anyone who may be carrying a knife that these bins are there, and this is proof that they can be safely discarded anonymously. 

"Carrying a knife does not keep you safe; you’re at a higher risk of being injured or injuring someone else if you are carrying one. So please, think twice and protect yourselves and others by discarding them safely.” 

Following the rise of knife crimes in Bristol since 2023, a year in which there was an incident involving a knife on average more than once a week, BristolWorld alongside other Bristol media, community leaders and campaigners launched a knife crime campaign last month.

The campaign is made of a six-point plan: setting up a community-driven task force, getting knives off the streets, evaluating if the Online Safety Bill goes far enough when it comes to harmful knife-related content on social media and how easy it is for children to see, raise awareness, lobby for change and holding power into account.

For more on the campaign and how to take part, visit here.

For a full list of locations of weapon surrender bins and bleed control kits in Bristol visit: https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report/weapons-knives/