More than 1,200 knives have been taken off the streets of Tower Hamlets since April 2024, thanks to six knife amnesty bins across the borough.
The bins, installed by the charity Word 4 Weapons and paid for by Tower Hamlets Council and a local church, allow for knives and other weapons to be disposed of anonymously and safely – no questions asked.
Last emptied in November 2024, the bins produced a haul of 1,222 knives, 20 dangerous or banned weapons and one broken potential firearm. They bins were emptied prior to that in April 2024.
Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said:
“Tragically, it seems too often in London that we hear about a stabbing, and behind each incident is a person who has been killed, or perhaps left with life-changing injuries.
“And behind each victim there is a grieving mother and family, and a perpetrator who has blown their future and left their own family with an incredible sense of guilt and shame, and a sense of loss too when justice is handed out and they are imprisoned.
“And as always, there is a community left in shock and left feeling unsafe, and worried too for their young people when they are not at home.
“This is why tackling knife crime is so important and these amnesty bins are just one measure we have in Tower Hamlets to tackle knife crime and empower local people to do what is right and hand in their knives and weapons both anonymously and safely. Every knife taken off the streets is potentially a life saved.
“While the number of knives collected through these bins may shock some, it is equally encouraging to see that maybe the message is getting through that there are no winners with knife crime, only losers.”
The six amnesty bins can be found at the following locations:
- Barnet Grove, E2 6 AD
- Treves House, Vallance Road E1 5A3
- Burslem Street, E1 2LL
- Brownfield Street, E14 6ND
- Bying Street, Canary Wharf E14
- St Mary and St Michael’s, Commercial Road E1 0AA
It is an offence to have a knife in a public place without a reasonable excuse.
Anyone wishing to use a knife or amnesty bin is advised to wrap their weapon up in newspaper or cardboard and ensure the blade is protected and the knife cannot easily be removed.
For a list of advice services on keeping children and young people safe, visit the Tower Hamlets Support Service webpages.
Posted on Tuesday 21st January 2025