Knife bins will be installed in Colburn and Richmond, North Yorkshire, to reduce knife crime and improve community safety.
They’re also going to Boroughbridge and Northallerton. Plus, Stokesley, Thirsk, Tadcaster, and Selby get them. Malton, Pickering, Scarborough, and Whitby are included as well, along with Colburn, Richmond, Skipton and York.
Police have a map of bin locations available online, which will accessible on the North Yorkshire Police website. Knife crime is lower here than elsewhere, with rates two and a half times below average. Still, they want to stay proactive about safety.
Several groups are working on this project together, including North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council. North Yorkshire Police also takes part. They got money from the York and North Yorkshire Office: a grant of over $15,000 from the Serious Violence Duty fund, which focuses on prevention.
People asked for these bins after seeing Harrogate’s success. These bins prevent knives from falling into the wrong hands. Heather Phillips talked about community safety, stating that even stopping one knife makes a difference.
Jo Coles mentioned knife incidents last year: York and North Yorkshire had around 300. Even though crime is low, risks remain. These bins remove weapons and boost safety, and expanding the bins makes progress.
Sergeant Paul Evans spoke about the dangers of knives and noted that the bins are secure and easy to find. He wants people to use the online map, and asks that they wrap knives in cardboard for safe disposal. You won’t get in trouble for using the bins, he stated, emphasizing It helps keep North Yorkshire safer.
Skipton wanted a knife bin, which is now located in the High Street car park. David Noland wants everyone to feel safe. He spoke about daily life and safety, and reminded people that knives can ruin lives if misused.
Brian McDaid addressed the fight against knife crime, and discussed young lives lost due to knives. Knife crime hurts families a lot, and deaths are increasing, especially with youth, which makes quick action essential. Removing weapons sends a caring message, he thinks: it shows concern for community well-being.
York is considered a safe city, however, complacency is dangerous, said Michael Pavlovic. Knives can devastate families and individuals, and carrying a knife always risks serious harm. These bins remove that risk anonymously.
Wrap knives in thick paper or cardboard, then tape, and take it straight to the bin. Place the wrapped knife safely in the hatch. Check the police website for bin locations at northyorkshire.police.uk/knifebins.