The Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, is to double the number of weapon surrender bins in our region, reaffirming his longstanding commitment to combat knife crime.

The metal containers provide a safe location for the public to dispose of knives and weapons, with PCC Simon Foster stating how every knife, blade or weapon deposited in one of the bins is potentially a life saved. 

Between January and March there were 1,705 weapons surrendered by the public and later destroyed. That equates to 142 weapon deposits a week or over 20 per day. 

The recent haul included hundreds of flick knives, zombie knives, kitchen knives, knuckle dusters, machetes and even firearms. 

Speaking about the importance of the weapon surrender bin scheme and his new investment to double the number of containers, 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. 

A list of the most-used weapon surrender bins in the West Midlands between January and March 2025, below: 

• 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 

You can view your nearest weapon surrender bin on an interactive map. Members of the public wishing to apply to have a new bin placed locally, should email wmpcc@westmidlands.police.uk.