Permanent knife surrender bins installed in Southampton by partnership united on tackling violence

Permanent knife surrender bins have been installed at three locations in Southampton thanks to Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and Southampton City Council.

The bins have been installed in Shirley, the City Centre and Thornhill and have been funded through a Home Office grant to police forces experiencing high volumes of violence.

Since being installed in June, 60 knives have already been disposed of.

As of 2024, numerous cities in the UK have installed knife surrender bins as part of initiatives to combat knife crime.

Surrender bins provide a safe and anonymous way for individuals to dispose of knives, aiming to reduce knife-related crimes and injuries. The bins are part of broader violence reduction strategy by police and local authorities who are united on tackling violent crime through community engagement and early intervention initiatives.

The Police and Crime Commissioner, local police and Southampton City Council hope the bins will serve as a reminder to the community that their efforts to tackle the issue is a permanent, unwavering commitment to keeping people safe.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, said: “Knife crime is not just an issue for policing, a wide range of organisations are responsible for curbing the violence that infects our communities. Research shows violence spreads like a disease, which is why all members of the partnership are involved in tackling the root causes and stopping it dead in its tracks.

“The surrender bins will confront the other end of the spectrum. Those who have already decided to carry a knife are at much greater risk of being injured themselves even though their decision to carry a knife is for self-protection.

“I’m very pleased 60 knives have already been disposed of. It’s clear the visible presence of these bins has caused people to think twice and surrender a weapon before it was too late.”

Councillor Christie Lambert, Cabinet Member for Communities and Safer City at Southampton City Council, said: “We are committed to making Southampton a safer place for everyone. Knife surrender bins offer an anonymous and judgement-free way to dispose of dangerous knives and will undoubtedly help to reduce the risk of knife crime in some of our most deprived areas.

“Our children deserve to feel safe in their neighbourhoods. Knife surrender bins offer a chance to get dangerous weapons off the streets, creating a safer environment for our young people. Together, we can create a safer city for our families and communities.”

Inspector Sarah Nicholson, of the Violent Crime Taskforce, said: “Working in partnership is essential in order to prevent knife crime and we are constantly looking at new innovative ways to tackle the issues and keep communities safe.

“The placing of these surrender bins is a new approach and should serve to reassure the community.  Placing the bins within accessible locations in the community gives the opportunity for knives to be surrendered anonymously.

“One knife surrendered could mean a serious incident has been prevented.”

We all need to work together to combat knife crime and we would urge anyone with information on knife crime in their local community to report it.

You can report knife crime in several ways:

• Using the police’s online reporting form
• Via the police’s ‘live chat’ facility
• By calling us on 101

To report anonymously via:

• fearless.org
• Crimestoppers or by calling 0800 555 111.

In an emergency, always dial 999.

The bins are permanent fixtures located at:

• Shirley: Redcar Street, next to the library by Shirley precinct car park
• Thornhill: Warburton Road
• City: Sussex Road next to Palmerston Park

The bins were specially designed and built by Samson Containers especially for the partnership’s knife crime prevention strategy.