Hounslow residents have helped remove dangerous weapons from circulation as part of a national campaign to encourage people to anonymously hand in their weapons.
The mobile surrender van, operated by anti-knife crime charity FazAmnesty, provided a discreet, community-based way for people to dispose of knives and bladed weapons without attending a police station, and with no questions asked.
The event, part of a national Home Office campaign, formed part of wider work to tackle knife crime and encourage safer choices, particularly among young people.
Residents who were unable to attend the event on Thursday 27 August can still safely and anonymously dispose of knives and bladed weapons using the permanent knife surrender bin located at High Street, Feltham, TW13 4AY.
Councillor Ajmer Grewal, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Safety at Hounslow Council, said:
“Knife crime affects families, victims and entire communities, and every life lost is one too many.
“Even if you think you’re carrying a knife for protection, it puts you at greater risk of becoming involved and violence and getting hurt. That’s why choosing not to carry is the safest choice, and it’s great to see the Home Office and FazAmnesty creating opportunities for people to make that positive choice safely and anonymously.
“Every knife surrendered is one less weapon that could cause harm. If you missed the mobile surrender van, don’t worry – you can dispose of knives any time at the surrender bin located on Feltham High Street.”
Operating the mobile surrender van was Faron Paul, who has dedicated his life to preventing violence after surviving a knife attack in which he was stabbed 18 times.
Driven by a desire to stop others being attacked, Faron founded FazAmnesty, which as well as operating knife amnesties, carries out community patrols, school workshops, mentoring programmes and trauma training, aiming to prevent violence before it happens.
As knife-related homicides nationally fall to a 35-year low, read more about the Government’s knife surrender programme here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/knife-crime-homicides-fall-to-30-year-low
