Terrifying weapons haul taken off Midlands' streets

The arsenal of knives, knuckledusters, and guns were among the items deposited anonymously in surrender deposit bins.

In total, 403 items were this week emptied from the collection bins, including 104 in Whitmore Reans and 14 in Heath Town.

The scheme is run by charity Word 4 Weapons and supported by West Midlands Police and the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner.

Its aim is to get weapons off the streets and to reduce violence with knives and firearms between gangs.

Mike Smith, founder of Word 4 Weapons, said: "I started Word 4 Weapons because I saw so many young people lose their lives because of knife and gun crime and there was nothing positive taking place to combat it.

"When the police have their crackdowns it is normally targeted on one day and they come and they leave.

"There was nothing happening all year round.

"Realistically you are never going to get young people who carry a knife to hand it in to a police station, that is why we have the bins to get them off the streets.

"The community in Wolverhampton and the West Midlands are really engaged and we are seeing really positive results. That is why we are holding these community awards to recognise those who are making a difference to make the streets safer for our children."

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: "This scheme has given people a place to off-load weapons, which could have otherwise destroyed lives. The bins are being successful because the community wanted them and they are working hard to make sure people use them. I would like to express my thanks to the organisations that have agreed to host the bins and for everybody who is helping to spread the message that the carrying of weapons is not acceptable in our communities. It is entirely due to this ground swell of support from the community that the bins have achieved these results."

The latest haul comes as nominations open for the Word 4 Weapons 2015 Community Awards which are being held at Molineux on October 3.

The awards event will be in memory of the late West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Bob Jones from Wolverhampton who died last year.

Independent campaigner Desmond Jaddoo said: "Bob Jones was constructive in responding to the call of the West Midlands Community to address the issue of knives and guns being used on the streets.

"He gave his word to address it and he started it, unfortunately he was unable to see his work come to fruition. However, the work has continued resulting in 11 knife bins now installed in the area and many lives potentially saved from harm.

"There will be six awards presented by our special guests. This year we will be recognising individuals, groups and organisations that have made a positive impact within the community of the West Midlands."

Two firearms were recovered from the amnesty bins in Wolverhampton at the end of last year with a live round of ammunition, as well as two knuckle-dusters and 153 knives from a total of eight bins.

There are bins in Whitmore Reans, Heath Town, Sparkbrook, Edgbaston, Hockley, Lozells, Erdington, and Aston.

Another bin is planned for the Sandwell area, likely to be in West Bromwich.

Nominations for the Word 4 Weapons 2015 Community Awards close at the end of today.

To make a nomination and find out more visit the Word 4 Weapons events page at word4weapons.co.uk

For knife bin locations visit www.b-e-f.org.uk/anti-weapon-group.html