This week, Hounslow participated in a national knife surrender scheme aimed at removing dangerous weapons from the streets and helping to maintain low crime rates in the borough.
Ahead of a new ban on ninja swords coming into effect, the government has launched a weapon surrender scheme to ensure as many of these weapons as possible are taken out of circulation.
A mobile surrender van, operated by FazAmnesty in partnership with the Home Office, visited Bell Square near Hounslow High Street on Tuesday 8 July, as part of its tour across the UK this month.
The van provides a safe and discreet way to dispose of knives, with specially trained staff offering a non-judgemental, ‘no questions asked’ service, without the need to visit a police station.
The nationwide ban, which comes into force on Friday 1 August, will make it illegal to possess, sell, manufacture, or import ninja swords.
Ninja swords are defined as blades between 14 and 24 inches long, featuring a single straight cutting edge and a distinctive tanto-style point.
Anyone who missed the mobile surrender van’s visit to Hounslow can still dispose of knives anonymously at the community surrender bin located on Feltham High Street, Hounslow TW13 4AU.
Councillor Raghwinder Siddhu, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Customer Experience and Enforcement at Hounslow Council, said:
I’d like to thank everyone who took part in yesterday’s amnesty event—from the dedicated staff who provided a discreet and safe environment to those who made the potentially life-saving decision to hand in a weapon.
Every single weapon surrendered is one less that could cause harm.
We’re proud that Hounslow has some of the lowest crime rates in London, and the knife surrender scheme is a great example of how we’re working with local and national partners to keep our borough safe and prevent violence before it occurs.
The surrender scheme is part of the government’s broader strategy to tackle knife crime, which includes banning dangerous weapons, tightening online knife sales, imposing tougher sentences, and investing in early intervention.
For more information about surrendering ninja swords, including guidance and images, click here.
