Zombie knife off the street thanks to family of teenager who lost his life
The knife was surrendered in a bin installed by Owen’s World
Last updated 20th Sep 2024
Owen’s World have revealed to us that a zombie knife is now off the streets of Swindon thanks to their work in memory of Owen Dunn.
The charity was set up by friends and family in memory of the teenager who lost his life to knife crime in December 2022.
Since his death, the organisation has taken their campaign work to schools in Swindon and seen bleed kits and knife amnesty bins installed across the town.
Greatest Hits Radio met with the charity at their amnesty bin in Penhill, where a knife had been surrendered to police.
“I’m quite amazed that it’s been used which is good. It’s very positive,” said Owen’s mum Zoe Mitchell.
The founder of Owen’s World Jo Davies added: “It’s a good feeling it’s being used. When we started putting them out, we were a bit sceptical whether anyone would - it’s good news.”
The red box has been installed on the wall of John Moulton Hall, away from CCTV cameras so people can anonymously donate knives or sharp objects.
Owen’s sister-in-law Eilish explains: “Anyone can come in for any type of knife - a kitchen knife, a machete, zombie knives - anything, any type of sharp object and then the police will come and empty it.
“It’s completely anonymous and it’s also in a location with no cameras so you won’t be prosecuted by putting a knife in the bin at all.”
The amnesty bin has a photo of Owen Dunn, with information about his story and the charity.
“It keeps him out there by having him there." Eilish said.
“He is this constant reminder that makes him human. By adding his face to it - it relates to his story and our family’s story.
“It brings it home a little bit to some people."
“It’s amazing because I don’t want anyone to forget him,” Zoe said, “he wasn’t a bad lad and he deserves to be remembered for who he was, not how he died.”
It’s ahead of a change in the law which comes into effect on Tuesday 24th September, banning zombie-style knives and machetes.
After the 24th September, anyone caught with this type of knife could face time behind bars.
Ahead of the new ban coming into force, anyone who has one of these weapons is being urged by police to hand them over – safely and legally in bins such as the one installed by Owen’s World.