Greater Manchester Police launch 'bin the blade' knife amnesty
- Published
Nationally, there were more than 26,000 knife-related offences in 2013 including 187 murders
Police in Greater Manchester are hoping to take hundreds of dangerous knives off the streets with the start of a month-long amnesty.
During February, anyone can drop off a knife in one of 11 designated "blade bins" without fear of prosecution.
Sixteen people have been killed in knife attacks in Greater Manchester in the last three years.
The blades will be used to create an angel statue in memory of those who have lost their lives to knife crime.
The sculptor, Alfie Bradley, said surrendered knives from other areas will also be used in the statue, which would show "the emotion and pain of using knives".
A former gang member from Moss Side, who was caught carrying a machete at the age of 14, now goes into schools to talk to youngsters about the dangers of gang violence.
'Massive difference'
Daryl Laycock said: "We've lost too many young lives.
"A lot of people carry knives for protection, but they pull out that knife and get it taken off them and get stabbed to death with it.
"I know over 50 people who have been murdered by violent crime and it's time to end it."
He said the campaign "can make a massive difference. Even if only one knife is handed in, that's at least one life saved".
Det Ch Insp Debbie Dooley said: "In the wrong hands, a knife is a deadly weapon.
"The knife bank will enable members of the public to surrender knives safely and anonymously and in turn remove these weapons from our streets."
The drop bins will be located at:
North Manchester: Central Park, Newton Heath M40 5BQ
South Manchester: 2 Grindlow Street, Longsight M13 0LL
Salford: Chorley Road, Swinton, M27 6BA
Tameside: Manchester Road, Ashton-u-Lyne, OL7 0BQ
Stockport: Spectrum Way, Stockport, SK3 0SA
Bolton: Scholey Street, Burnden, Bolton, BL2 1HX
Wigan: Robin Park Road, Wigan, WN5 0UP
Trafford: Talbot Road, Stretford, M32 0XB
Bury: Dunster Road, Bury, BL9 0RD
Rochdale: The Holme, The Esplanade, Rochdale, OL16 1AG
Oldham: Barn Street, Oldham, OL1 1BR