Knife surrender bins are to be launched in Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton and Edgbaston, Birmingham. ‘Get a life, bin that knife’ is the message being spread to anyone thinking about carrying a blade in Birmingham and Wolverhampton. Police officers have been working with Word 4 Weapons to organise the placement of the bins – the organisation has experience of running a similar scheme in London.
The launch events were hosted by reggae artist Roach Killa. The knife bin at Tabernacle Church, Dunstall Road, Whitmore Reans was unveiled by the late Police and Crime Commissioner Bob Jones’ widow Sarah Edmondson and his stepdaughter step Frances Harrison. Sarah Edmondson said: “It is a great honour to be able to represent Bob at this event. We know how much he cared about making life safer for everyone in our communities and I hope this knife bin will help toward doing that.”
The launch of the purple knife bin at Edgbaston was at Tesco Fiveways Edgbaston, rear car park, Ruston Street, Birmingham City Centre B18 8HA. It was unveiled by Kathleen Harris, mother of Christina Edkins, who was tragically killed in a knife attack in March last year. Purple was Christina’s favourite colour and everybody attending this event was asked to wear something purple in her honour.
Kathleen Harris said: “I don’t think people realise the effect that knife crime has on people. It destroys not only the victim’s parents but their family and friends as well. We can never have our Christina back, but if this bin can even help one person to get rid of one knife, and save one life, then it will have been worthwhile.”
“I would like to make people think more about knife crime, not just young people but adults as well. Be sure you are aware if your child is carrying a knife and explain to them what the consequences could be. If you are throwing away old kitchen knives you no longer want, take them to the surrender bins for safety. If you dispose of them in your dustbin, they might fall into the wrong hands. Young people who are disposing of a knife need to know that what they must do is wrap it up so it cannot be used to hurt anyone. So long as it is wrapped up, if you get stopped by police, it will help you to show that you are taking the knife to dispose of it.”
