Northern Lights: Effectiveness of the weapon amnesty bins in the fight against knife crime
Options, they're great when you have them. Take weight loss for example, there are different exercises, different gyms, diets, medications and surgeries.
All that's needed is the want to change and the right mindset and it should be possible.
From this I made a simple formula: the want to change + the right mindset + options = positive change. I used this very same formula when looking at people involved in knife crime. Let's suppose a knife was being carried by someone, because they were scared. As time goes by, they realise that they don't want to harm anyone with it so they don't want it: the want to change and the right mindset. The next step would be to get rid of the knife, unsafely by throwing it somewhere or safely, by handing it in at a police station that has a front desk.
I'd argue that neither pose a win-win situation By throwing it somewhere, it could be found by anyone or someone could be hurt, making this unsafe. By handing it into a police station, they risk having their personal details taken and possibly gaining a criminal record.
As neither is a win-win, they would need been deemed as suitable options. This means the likelihood of them disposing of the knife is low, making the knife be present and easily accessible, allowing them to carry the knife as and when they please.
Weapon Amnesty Bins give people that are carrying weapons / knives an option to dispose of their knives / weapons safely and with total anonymity, with no risk of a criminal record. A win-win for those using it.
Additionally, it gives people that have found knives / weapons, want to dispose knives / weapons that have been collected or want to dispose of their old kitchen knives, a safe option to do so.
Our first weapon Amnesty Bin was installed in 2017, since then we have installed a further 8 across South Yorkshire. Since the rollout, over 2000 knives / weapons have been taken off the streets of South Yorkshire. Weapons include, flick knives, kitchen knives from small to large, zombie killers, axes, machetes, swords, firearms and live ammunition. This evidence proves the effectiveness of the weapon amnesty bins in the fight against knife crime and serious violent crimes.
One thing is certain, the more weapon amnesty bins that are installed, the more weapons / knives will be safely disposed of, creating a greater chance of preventing a weapon getting into the hands of someone that will make one of their worst decisions of their lives.
We've all made a bad decision because we felt like there was no other option, we're only human at the end of the day. Let's work together to support people to change, help them develop a positive mindset and give them options to make positive change. When people’s lives are at risk, more can always be done.
In 2025 we worked closely with the South Yorkshire Violence Reduction to spread awareness of the weapon amnesty bins by upgrading 5 of the weapon amnesty bins in 5 separate locations. Each of the locations had two anti-knife crime sessions to raise awareness of knife crime and capture the thoughts and feeling of some of the young people from each of the areas, from this we worked with an artist to produce a wrap bespoke to each weapon amnesty bin. The project was a great success, bringing communities together, spreading awareness of knife crime and creating amazing pieces of art, that signify, not only change, but hope as well.
Furthermore, the weapon amnesty bins are being used now more than they have ever been used, and I believe that is the force of the community spirit.
Looking forward, in 2026 I would like to continue our work with the South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit, South Yorkshire Police, and Sheffield City Council to roll out one Weapon Amnesty Bin in each of the 28 wards in Sheffield. Then, roll the project out across Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster.
The current locations of our Weapon Amnesty Bins are here:
Bessacarr FC, 105 Aintree Ave, DN4 6HR
Gaunt Shops, 157 Blackstock Rd, S14 1FX
HGDT, The Campus, S35 3HY
Sheaf House, 329 Bramall Ln, S2 4RH
Steel Fogg, 142 Halifax Rd, S6 1LH
The Link, Stradbroke Dr, S13 8SE
Tinsley Library, Bawtry Rd, S9 1UE
Vape Shake, 5a Church St, S64 8QA
Vape Store, 9 Regent St, S70 2HT