A mobile weapon surrender van will be coming to Abbey Wood this month where people can dispose of weapons safely and anonymously.
The Home Office’s weapon surrender scheme is operated by FazAmnesty, an organisation devoted to reducing knife crime and making our communities safer.
The FazAmnesty van will be coming to Abbey Wood on Tuesday 18 August between 2pm and 6pm, located on Disraeli Close, SE28 8AW (find on what3words by searching torch.dent.shine).
Trained staff from the organisation will safely and discreetly deposit any items handed in into a secure, surrender bin inside the mobile surrender van. No personal information will be taken, or any questions asked.
Councillor Joshua Ayodele, Cabinet Member for Community Safety & Integrated Enforcement, said: “Knife crime has a detrimental impact on families, victims and our entire community. Our weapon surrender scheme has successfully taken over 836 dangerous weapons from our streets since their last collection so we’re happy to support the Home Office’s summer surrender scheme as an extension of this.
“Tackling knife crime requires a collaborative approach between local authorities, the government, communities and local partners. We know you may feel afraid to report information about knife crime, but you could save a life. By working together, we can keep people safe and knives out of the borough.”
Last summer the Home Office’s weapon surrender scheme took 3,500 bladed weapons out of circulation across England. The FazAmnesty surrender van will be stopping off at 24 London boroughs, including our neighbouring boroughs of Bexley on Friday 14 August 2pm to 6pm, Wolvercote Road, SE2 9TF, and Lewisham on Thursday 20 August 10am to 1:30pm on Catford Broadway, SE6 4SN and 2pm to 6pm at 15 Downham Way, BR1 5NY. See a list of all locations on the gov.uk website.
We have four permanent weapon surrender bins placed around the borough where anyone can surrender dangerous weapons anonymously and safely without fear or prosecution all year round. These bins are securely bolted to a concrete base with a letter box design which does not allow people to be able to reach the contents inside.
- Abbey Wood, located near the Abbey Wood library, at the back of the Old Council Office on Eynsham Drive/Finchdale Road, SE2 9PW.
- Hutchins Road, Thamesmead, SE28 8AT, located near to the underpass, SE28 8AT. See the specific location here.
- Sutcliffe Park, Meadowside, Eltham SE9, located to the right of the main entrance on Eltham Road, SE9 5LW.
- Woolwich Town Centre, on Calderwood Street, at the junction with Powis Street, E18 6BQ.
Visit our website to find out more about our ‘Let’s Live #KnifeFree’ campaign, the risks of carrying a knife and the help and local support available.
You can help prevent knife crime and report information anonymously by visiting Crimestoppers, Fearless, or by calling 0800 555 111. If you are ever in danger, or need immediate help, always call 999.