New bins aim to take dangerous blades off the streets, reports Neandra Etienne

A metal knife amnesty bin in front of a brightly coloured mural — Knife Amnesty Bin

Newham Council has installed Knife Amnesty Bins at Bonny Downs Community Association, Rights and Equalities in Newham and Royal Docks Learning and Activity Centre.

The bins, which are part of a wider knife crime prevention programme, will reduce the risk of knife-related incidents.

Paul Leslie, Chief Executive, Rights and Equalities in Newham, told Newham Voices: “REIN is working in partnership with Newham Council and voluntary sector partners to provide opportunities for knives to be safely disposed of in a knife amnesty bin, one is located near our community centre in Plaistow. We hope this initiative will help to reduce the number of knives on our streets and increase community safety. We encourage everyone who wants to dispose of an unwanted knife to do so in a knife amnesty bin.”

The group plans to hold a community conversation about knife related incidents and what actions can be taken to improve community safety.

An existing knife bin at the Salvation Army in Stratford has seen almost 500 items removed in just over a year.

Residents in Newham troubled over this issue can get professional advice and report their concerns. More information from newham.gov.uk or call 020 3373 4600.

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