Knife amnesty ‘surrender bin’ plan approved

Councillors have approved plans to install a ‘surrender bin’ at Coleraine recycling centre as part of an amnesty scheme for bladed weapons.

As reported in the Chronicle last week, Stormont’s Department for Justice wants to ban weapons that are currently only prohibited if carried in a public place.

The initiative has been prompted by fears over rising knife crime and the role of blades in a large proportion of murders across the Province.

The amnesty being launched ahead of the law change is targeting Zombie knives, machetes, ninja swords and other offensive weapons.

At Tuesday’s meeting of Causeway Coast and Glens Environmental Services Committee, members endorsed plans to install a specially modified wheelie bin at the Loughanhill Household Recycling Centre.

Members have been assured staff will have “a very limited role” except for signposting the location of the bin to the public.

On Tuesday a senior officer also assured Alliance Councillor Lee Kane the bin would be placed in an “adequately discrete” location.

Currently, if police currently find an offensive weapon such as a zombie knife, machete, flick knife, cyclone knife or a ninja sword in a private place, for example in someone’s home, they can only take action and seize the knife if it is considered to be evidence in a criminal investigation.

The proposed legislation change here will render possession alone an offence and allow police to seize the items and consider referral to the prosecution authorities.