A knife surrender bin has been unveiled in West Bromwich high street for people to voluntarily give up their weapons.

The new bin is a part of Sandwell Council’s Safer 6 campaign, which is aimed at reducing knife crime by encouraging people to leave their weapons in the secure bins.

Thousands of weapons have been collected already under the Word 4 Weapons programme, a wider campaign which was first set up in London and has now expanded to the West Midlands, with support from the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner.

Sandwell Council leader cllr Darren Cooper said: ‘We must all do what we can to tackle the serious issue of knife crime. The culture of carrying a weapon is one we must try to eradicate. This bin gives people who have them an opportunity to deposit them in a safe way, without fear of prosecution.’

‘For yourself, your family and the wider community, please use this bin and get the knife out of your life,’ he added.