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Knife amnesty bins have been installed outside Emergency Departments across Birmingham. Situated at Queen Elizabeth, Heartlands and Good Hope hospitals the bins will play their part in reducing knife crime in the city. The bins have kindly been funded by University Hospitals Birmingham Charity. 

Tackling violence and abuse is a key priority for the hospitals: the amnesty bins mark the beginning of a wider campaign to raise awareness that abuse against NHS staff will not be tolerated. 

Jonathan Brotherton, Chief Executive, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust said: 

“Sadly, colleagues in our emergency departments and across our hospitals see first hand the physical and emotional damage that knife crime inflicts on local people.  

“By installing these knife bins, we hope our hospitals, that are cornerstones of our communities, can play their part to reduce serious injury and fatalities.” 

Dr Rifat Rashid, Executive Director, Heartlands Hospital, added: 

“We are committed to contributing to the reduction of violence and abuse in our society, including those directed at our staff. 

“Knives or bladed instruments have been found on hospital property, which is very concerning for us all. The knife bins will provide a safe place for these weapons to be disposed.” 

Anyone carrying a knife is urged to dispose of it, after wrapping it in several layers of cardboard or paper and securing it with sticky tape to cover the blade. 

While it is an offence to carry a knife in a public place, it is considered reasonable to carry it directly to a knife bin if it is wrapped in this way.