Suffolk: Over 8000 Knives Binned in Amnesty

24 January 2013, 13:32 | Updated: 24 January 2013, 13:36

It started as a year-long amnesty which saw over 6000 knives put in special bins across the county. Up to now, there have been 8300.

Following this success the static bins, outside Ipswich, Lowestoft, Bury St Edmunds and Mildenhall Police Stations, were made permanent.

In 2012 a further 2205 blades were deposited, with a total of 8330 knives now handed in and subsequently shredded at Sackers Recycling in Great Blakenham. In November 2012 the bins were relaunched with a fresh new look by teenage anti-knife campaigner Holly Watson, Chief Constable Simon Ash and BBC Suffolk presenter Mark Murphy.

Holly said: "I am overwhelmed with the recent figure of over 8300 knives collected in the 'Bin a Blade' knife bins. I really hope people continue to use the bins and think twice about carrying a knife. Thank you to everyone who has used the knife bins, every knife will be disposed of and will not be able to go back into circulation."

Mr Ash added: "8330 knives handed in is an amazing number, and the bins remain in place for anyone who wants to bin a blade. Whilst there is not a significant problem with knife crime in Suffolk, our amnesty is continuing to make people think about the consequences of carrying a knife and offering a way to dispose of them without prejudice."

A year ago a hard-hitting film was launched on Suffolk Constabulary's YouTube channel and Bin a Blade currently features in an exhibition at the V&A Museum of Childhood. In 2013 Suffolk Police are continuing to educate young people about the dangers of carrying a knife through partnerships with Holly Watson, Crimestoppers, Ipswich Academy and the Wolsey Theatre.

Latest knife totals:

Bin location

2011 total

2012 total

Total for amnesty

Ipswich

2084

1079

3163

Lowestoft

1784

614

2398

Bury St Edmunds

1029

383

1412

Mildenhall

145

129

274

Mobile bins*

1083

-

1083

*Mobile bins were based at Leiston, Haverhill, Woodbridge, Stowmarket, Newmarket, Sudbury, Halesworth, Beccles and Felixstowe Police Stations, Kessingland Library and Mid Suffolk District Council, Needham Market for one or two month periods.