The looks of a knife disposal bin in Rossendale has precipitated controversy.
The “protected and safe container” has been put in at Rossendale police station in Waterfoot – closed to the general public for 2 years – as a part of ongoing efforts to get blades off the streets.
Lancashire Police say the 16 bins are being positioned throughout the county in “busy, well-lit areas which can be straightforward to get to”, nevertheless the Bacup Street web site has been branded “insecure” and “fairly irresponsible” by a council chief.
The police say they need to present individuals with a “authorized and protected strategy to give up knives and bladed gadgets” and get them out of circulation.
The brand new amenities come after Lancashire Constabulary secured authorities funding to assist sort out elevated knife crime.
There are 4 new disposal websites in East Lancashire, with two in Burnley and one in Darwen.
The Waterfoot bin was noticed this week in a disabled parking bay on the station, which opened in 2008 at a value of £3m however was closed to the general public beneath £1.5m funding cuts in 2018.
It’s nonetheless used as a base for officers.
Rossendale council deputy chief Coun Jackie Oakes mentioned: “The police station at Waterfoot is closed to the general public, however an insecure assortment has been recognized for a knife disposal bin.
“Knife crime is a scourge on any space and we’ve been lucky to not have the issues in Rossendale that have an effect on different areas – however this appears a fairly irresponsible proposal.”
Simon Creasey, a Whitewell Backside Group Centre trustee, broadly helps the scheme, though admits it’s a “tough” difficulty.
He mentioned: “The knife bin is a superb concept in precept, however will it get used?
“I feel we ought to be educating in colleges/schools extra in regards to the risks of knife crime and the repercussions of carrying them on how they will have an effect on not solely the particular person carrying the knife, however others.
“Perhaps if there was extra patrol police models accessible individuals would really feel extra protected. Let’s hope the bin will get used.”
Chief Inspector Steve Anderton, mentioned: “Knives and sharp objects are current in everybody’s residence and are simply picked up by kids and younger individuals.
“Offering a protected facility for coping with undesirable knives is only one of some ways we will come along with communities to maintain knives off our streets and defend younger individuals.
“Anybody who has a knife or bladed weapon can eliminate it within the knife bins the place will probably be taken away and destroyed.
“We need to hold knives off the streets and hold our younger individuals protected and offering a manner for individuals to eliminate bladed gadgets helps us to try this.”
Any knives shall be disposed of by the police except there’s an apparent signal one has been utilized in a criminal offense.
Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw mentioned: “I totally assist the general public well being method to violent crime and that we have to work throughout our communities and organisations to make Lancashire a safer place.
“Knife bins present a key point of interest which encourage individuals to eliminate them safely and assist make our streets safer, while appearing as a reminder that carrying a knife is prohibited, and you can be arrested and prosecuted in case you are caught with one.
“We proceed to lose too many younger lives to critical violence and it’s essential that each one components of our society work collectively to sort out it head-on and make our communities safer.”
