top of page

Community Knife amnesty bins unveiled across Milton Keynes

Thames Valley Police yesterday (16/11) launched two community knife amnesty bins across Milton Keynes, ahead of a month of action against violence across the city, taking place in December.

Working closely with Milton Keynes City Council, two community amnesty bins, are being placed in Westcroft and West Bletchley, providing the opportunity to dispose of knives and bladed articles in a safe and legal way. Those using the scheme are asked that all knives are safely wrapped in tape and newspaper before placing in the bins.


The secure amnesty bins, which are bolted to walls and concrete flooring, have a letter box design to allow knife deposits whilst stopping people reaching inside the bins. They are being closely monitored and regularly emptied with the contents carefully disposed of.


Officers from Milton Keynes Neighbourhood Policing Team, councillors and Jason Fathers attended an unveiling of the bin in Westcroft.


Jason’s 18-year-old son Jay was murdered at the beginning of last year when he stepped in to intervene in an altercation and was fatally stabbed five times.


The community amnesty bin in West Bletchley will be revealed later this month.


A further amnesty bin is located at Milton Keynes police station, as well as at several police stations across the Thames Valley. The full list of amnesty bins can be found in our press release that was published last week.


The month of action in Milton Keynes next month aims to bring together schools and parents, voluntary sector organisations, places of worship, community groups, local venues and businesses to work alongside statutory partners for Milton Keynes to take a stand together against violence in all forms.


This includes knife crime, which has resulted in a number of lives being tragically lost over the years, but also domestic abuse, hate crime, bullying and other forms of violence and aggression.


Sergeant Thomas Neilson, based at Milton Keynes police station, said: “This partnership initiative provides our communities the opportunity to safely dispose of their knives and removes dangerous weapons from the streets.


“We know that not everyone will be able to travel to a police station to dispose of a knife or may not feel comfortable heading to such a central location. These community amnesty bins provide a more convenient and discrete way for these weapons to be handed in whilst ensuring they are kept secure until they are emptied by police.


“Tackling and preventing knife crime is a priority for the force and we continue to engage with our communities to raise awareness of the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife.


“If you have any information about the possession of knives or criminal activity relating to this type of crime, please report it online or call 101. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”


The new amnesty bins are located at:

Westcroft Centre, Wimborne Crescent, Westcroft

Frank Moran Centre, Melrose Avenue, Bletchley

Comments


bottom of page