Offensive weapons ‘surrender bin’ to be installed in Coleraine

Zombie knives, machetes and ninja swords are among the targets of an offensive weapons amnesty planned for Causeway Coast and Glens.

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.

Possessing of many bladed weapons in a public place is already a criminal offence.

Stormont’s Department of Justice now wants to ban them completely.

But it first wants to give owners the opportunity to dispose of them in a safe and legal way before the ban comes in.

And it’s asking councils to provide “Community Surrender Bins” at select Household Recycling Centres.

Causeway Coast and Glens Council officers are asking elected members to approve installation of a “specially designed wheelie bin” at Coleraine’s Loughanhill site.

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

If approved, it is envisaged that the Community Surrender Bin would be in place for three months.

In correspondence with the Council’s chief executive, a senior DoJ official writes: “Knife crime has a serious and wide-ranging impact, causing death and injury while also creating long-lasting psychological harm for victims, families, and communities.

“Offensive weapons and knives are involved in a large proportion of homicides, showing how lethal the problem can be.

“Beyond physical harm, it increases fear of crime, especially among young people who are disproportionately affected, with many witnessing or experiencing violence, which damages wellbeing and community cohesion.”

The official explains that mainland UK has already tightened controls on bladed weapons and Northern Ireland intends to follow suit.

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.

“The legislation and surrender schemes will deliver a range of benefits intended to enhance community safety, including: removing dangerous knives and offensive weapons from the community, therefore lowering the risk that they could be used in violent crime; strengthening police powers in relation to knife crime by making it illegal to possess certain offensive weapons in private; and, ensuring that individuals who acquired items legally are treated fairly when those items become prohibited,” says the DoJ.