New knife amnesty bin in Maldon
A new knife amnesty bin has been installed in Maldon.
It is part of Only Cowards Carry’s Knife Amnesty Bin Project, which we’re supporting along with Essex Police and Maldon District Council.
The bin, which is outside the council’s offices in Princes Road, is one of a number across the county.
District commander Chief Inspector Gerry Parker said: “Knife crime has a devastating impact on victims and our communities, and driving this down is one of our top priorities.
“However, tackling this issue is a community responsibility, which is why we work with other organisations such as Only Cowards Carry to try and educate people to prevent knife crime happening in the first place.
“The more knives we can take off the street, the better, and the amnesty bin is an opportunity for anyone who carries a blade to dispose of it anonymously.”
Shani Jackson, of Only Cowards Carry, said: “Count the Blade was launched after we created a pilot a project called The Knife Amnesty in Clacton, placing a temporary amnesty bin to receive knives and or weapons.
“Due to its great success, Count the Blade was introduced and all districts within Essex have now received a secured robust depositary bin.
“To date 47,715 bladed articles have been safely disposed of in the amnesty bins. This in turn contributes to creating safer communities and helps reduce knife related crimes in the community.
“A kitchen knife is seen by most people as a standard kitchen utensil, others may see it as a potential weapon.
“By discarding knives in the correct manner, we can help decrease the use of knives as weapons.”
Maldon’s Community Safety Partnership Manager, Spencer Clarke, said; “The partnership is committed to working with statutory agencies and charities to reduce violence in the district and provide opportunities for early intervention with young people.
“This has led to a new knife amnesty bin has been installed in our district in Maldon.
“It is part of Only Cowards Carry’s Knife Amnesty Bin Project, which is being supported by Maldon District Council, Essex Police and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex.”
Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “I really admire the work which Only Cowards Carry do. They help make our streets safer. Reducing violence on our streets is one of our key priorities.
“A knife placed in one of these bins is another knife off our streets which might otherwise be used to cause someone serious harm or potentially worse. Not only do these bins allow dangerous weapons to be safely disposed of but their visible presence in the heart of our town centres also serves to raise awareness of the very real danger posed by those carrying knives.”
Essex Police took part in Operation Sceptre, a national crackdown on knife crime, last week. The week of action built on the current work officers are doing to tackle serious violence and kicks off a longer period of action designed to target knife crime.
For more information about knife crime in Essex, visit www.essex.police.uk/knifecrime
