Neighbourhood police have collected more than 100 knives from an East Sheffield amnesty bin last week – a dramatic eight-fold increase from the previous year.

The 106 knives collected from the Birley Moor Road bin over a three month period ranged from standard kitchen knives to more serious offence weapons. 

On Facebook, Sheffield South East NPT said: “106 knives removed from our streets shows the importance of having these knife bins within our communities, allowing people to dispose of these items safely”. 

In January 2023, there were 15 knives alongside 50 shotgun cartridges which was an increase from the four knives found in December 2022. 

The bin, which was installed in May 2022 by the Violence reduction unit as part of a knife amnesty program, aims to take knives off the streets and reduce knife crime.

The purpose of the bin is to create a safe place for anyone to anonymously dispose of weapons in a community setting without having to go to a police station. 

Karen Mcgowan, Labour Councillor for the Birley Ward area said: “Any knife removed whether it is from a home or on the street is one less opportunity for it to do harm. We feel this bin is playing its part in keeping people safe”. 

The bin, which is securely fastened to the ground and cannot be entered once a knife is deposited, is regularly emptied by the police via Neighbourhood teams. 

The location of the South-east bin was chosen due to it being in a visible spot near shops, pubs and a bus stop meaning people can drop knives off easily and without question. 

In Sheffield, there are four other bin deposit locations including one installed at the Sheaf House pub on Bramall Lane in memory of Harvey Willgoose who died in January due to Knife crime.