Knife surrender confirmed for Birmingham

Under the plans, people will be able to hand in knives at drop-off points in locations across the city

Police have confirmed a knife surrender planned for Birmingham will start later this month.

The scheme will be similar to a knife amnesty but will mean permanent drop-off points will be located in community centres and public spaces.

The plans follow the conviction of a 17-year-old for the stabbing of Hassan Mahmood in Yardley in July.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Bob Jones said he would announce the locations shortly.

Mr Jones said he was negotiating to get three drop-off points which would be open for at least six months.

"We are hoping to have more than that," he said.

There were two more stabbings in Birmingham last week, including one in Handsworth, where a man in his 50s died, and another in Handsworth Wood. A 14-year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder.

'Redouble our efforts'

Coun Waseem Zaffar, chair of Birmingham City Council's community safety committee and councillor for Lozells and East Handsworth, said: "My ward has far too many knife incidents. Hopefully this will help."

He added: "I still think we need to do more in our schools and youth centres to educate people not to carry knives."

Det Ch Insp Simon Wallis, from West Midlands Police, said "We can't accept any level of knife crime.

"We need to redouble our efforts around this agenda."