Number of weapon surrender bins to double in West Midlands
Over 1,700 weapons, including Zombie knives and machetes, were handed in between January and March
Figures show over 1,700 weapons were surrendered at knife surrender bins in the West Midlands - between January and March.
Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster is doubling the number of bins in the region from 32 to 64 - in a bid to save even more lives.
Zombie knives, machetes and firearms are just some of the weapons found in bins since the start of the year.
PCC Simon Foster said: “Weapon surrender bins are continuing to have a significant impact, because they play an important part in keeping people, families, businesses and communities safe here in the West Midlands.
“I’ve witnessed the bins being cleared and the range of weapons that have been deposited and then later destroyed is truly staggering. These bins are ensuring there are fewer dangerous weapons out on the streets of the West Midlands.
“Preventing and tackling serious violence and knife crime is an absolute top priority for me as Police and Crime Commissioner, and that’s why, during Knife Crime Awareness Week (May 19-25), I’m pleased to announce this further investment to double the number of weapon surrender bins from 32 to 64.
“As I keep emphasising, every knife, blade or weapon placed in a weapon surrender bin, is potentially a life saved.”
Between January and March, a total of 415 weapons were deposited in a single bin outside the New Testament Church of God in Erdington.
The next highest bin deposit was near Morrison’s in Bilston (104), while there were 95 knives and weapons surrendered in the blue bin outside Coventry’s Central Police Station off Little Park Street.
In Wolverhampton, 91 weapons were posted in the container at St Peter’s Collegiate Church in the city centre.
Around 8,000 deadly weapons have now been destroyed thanks to the PCC surrender scheme.
These were the most used weapon surrender bins in the West Midlands between January and March 2025:
- New Testament Church of God, Erdington: 415
- Morrisons, Black Country Route, Bilston: 104
- Coventry Central Police Station, Little Park Street: 95
- New Testament Church of God, Lozells Road, Birmingham: 93
- St Peter’s Collegiate Church, Exchange Street, Wolverhampton: 91
- Tesco, Town Gate Retail Park, Dudley: 90
- Morrisons, New Road, Rubery: 86
- Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre, Solihull: 82
- Sainsbury’s, Freeth Street, Oldbury: 73
- Duke Street, Stourbridge: 72