Knife amnesty bins installed in Swindon

Last time an amnesty was run hundreds of weapons were surrended and destroyed

Permanent weapon surrender bins have been installed as part of an operation tackling knife crime.

The four bins in Swindon can be found at Broadgreen Centre, Liden Library, Pinehurst Centre and Walcot Dome.

The scheme is led by the police and crime commissioner, Owen's World Foundation and Wiltshire Police as part of Operation Sceptre.

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said it is just "one element" that would make the streets safer.

Philip Wilkinson said the amnesty bins were just one part of a package to tackle knife crime

"We need to work with the retailers who sell the knives to prevent them selling them to young people. It's really important," he said.

"Last time in Operation Sceptre we had piles and piles of hundreds of weapons that we destroyed.

"But it's not just knife crime, it's the drug crime and anti-social behaviour. All of these problems are all inter-related and we need to put together a package to tackle that.

"The force is now getting much better at getting on top of it."

Supt Guy Elkins said there would be an increase in police patrols in Swindon during the operation

Operation Sceptre is a national initiative that takes place twice a year.  

It aims to raise awareness of knife crime and the police action in detecting, reducing and preventing it.

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New Swindon hub commander and Op Sceptre lead, Supt Guy Elkins, said extra police patrols and engagement in schools would be included in the campaign.

"Our Blunt Truth campaign will educate children about the danger of knives," he said.

"We know the huge damage carrying any kind of bladed article can cause. That is why we have installed four permanent knife surrender bins in Swindon where people can safely dispose of a knife, blade or other weapon."

Jo Davis said the campaign would help make adults and children aware of the consequences of carrying knives

Jo Davis, from anti-knife crime charity Owen's World, said the operation was especially important "because we've lost somebody to knife crime fairly recently".

"It's really important that these kids and even adults are aware of the consequences of carrying knives," she said.

Operation Sceptre is set to run from 13 until 19 November.