Knife bins launched in Greenwich after 899 offences reported in two years

A local authority has installed two knife bins to tackle knife crime after hundreds of offenses were reported in the borough across the past two years.

Greenwich council launched the ‘knife amnesty bins’ in Sutcliffe Park, Meadowside, Eltham and Finchdale Road in Abbey Wood. 

People will be able to use the bins to dispose of dangerous weapons anonymously and safely without prosecution.  

Across the last two years, 899 knife offences were reported in Greenwich.

Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement, said: “We have listened to local communities in these areas and have developed this initiative in close collaboration with them. 

“It is also part of our wider campaign to tackle knife crime following the launch of our ‘Let’s Live #KnifeFree’ campaign last year aimed at encouraging people to live their life and drop the knife.” 

The amnesty bins are bolted to a concrete base and have a letter box design to stop people from being able to reach the contents inside. 

The bins will be emptied by the partner organisation, Words4Weapons, and the council and police will receive a full report of its contents. The knives will then be disposed of by police outside of the borough. 

Visit royalgreenwich.gov.uk/knifefree to find out more about our ‘Let’s Live #KnifeFree’ campaign, the risks of carrying a knife and the help and local support available. 

You can help prevent knife crime and report information anonymously by visiting Crimestoppers on crimestoppers.org.uk, fearless.org, or by calling 0800 555 111. If you are ever in danger, or need immediate help, always call 999.

Pictured top: Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan (second from the right) launches the knife bins alongside community campaigners (Picture: Greenwich council)