A new weapon surrender bin has been installed in Coventry as part of ongoing efforts to prevent and tackle knife crime. The initiative seeks to remove dangerous weapons from communities and enhance public safety.
Located at Remembrance Road, within The Hagard Community, the bin's placement follows collaborative work between the West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership, Coventry City Council, local violence prevention partners, and West Midlands Police.
The specific location was determined after a review of West Midlands Police knife crime data indicated a need for an additional facility in the Willenhall area. Local authorities and community organisations identified a suitable, accessible spot.
This installation is part of a broader expansion of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s weapon surrender bin network across the West Midlands. These bins offer a secure and anonymous method for the public to dispose of unwanted knives, blades, and other dangerous items.
Simon Foster, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, expressed his satisfaction with the new bin, stating, “We know that these bins make a real difference. Almost 2,000 dangerous weapons were surrendered through the network in just three months earlier this year, meaning thousands of weapons have been removed from homes and communities and safely destroyed.”
Councillor John McNicholas, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Cohesion, highlighted the collaborative approach. He added, “We are delighted to be working alongside the West Midlands Crime Commissioner and the West Midlands Violence and Reduction partnership to bring a further weapons surrender bin to Coventry. We work with our partners to tackle knife crime in lots of different ways including working with schools, hospitals and the Youth Offending Service. It’s a really important joint approach.”
Councillor McNicholas further emphasised the impact of weapon crime, stating, “We all know the terrible impact of weapons crime and we will continue to work diligently with the Police, Ward Councillors, local people and all of our partners to address this issue.”
Information on the nearest weapon surrender bin and details about the scheme are available on the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner’s website. Individuals interested in requesting a bin in their area can contact vrp@westmidlands.police.uk.
