More knife bins installed after trial success

Additional knife bins have been installed in North Yorkshire after hundreds of weapons were taken off the streets during a trial.

The council said more than 1,800 bladed items had been disposed of in a knife bin since it was introduced in Harrogate in January 2023.

A further 20 bins are to be installed in various locations including Ripon, Knaresborough, Scarborough, Skipton and York.

Sgt Paul Evans said while knife crime in North Yorkshire was much lower than average, officers had to deal with "the catastrophic effects of knives falling into the wrong hands".

The council said items could be deposited safely and anonymously in the bins before being collected and destroyed by police.

As part of the rollout, police have made an interactive map with information about where the bins have been placed.

Heather Phillips, the council's executive member for corporate services, said bringing in more bins was not an admission there was a problem in the communities.

She said it was "more an opportunity for people to take preventative measures to safeguard members of their family, their neighbours and others where they live".

"If we can prevent just one knife or bladed article getting into the wrong hands, then these bins will have proven to be worthwhile," she added.

Mr Evans said: "I'd encourage people to use the new online map to find their nearest bin, then wrap their knives in cardboard to safely dispose of them.

"You won't get into trouble for transporting knives to these locations, and you'll be helping to keep North Yorkshire safe."

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