Added: 10/06/2008

Category: Suffolk Constabulary

Police in Lowestoft are giving local people the opportunity to get rid of unwanted weapons ‘no questions asked’ as part of a three-week amnesty in the town.

On Monday morning, 16 June, the bright yellow weapons amnesty bin, with the Nightsafe logo on, will be lifted into place at the Triangle Market Place in Lowestoft High Street and will be sited there until Friday 4 July.

Any unwanted weapons – knives, air guns or more unusual items – can be left in the bin, so if you have items lying around at home please take this opportunity to get rid of them.

Sgt Steve Wright from the Central Lowestoft Safer Neighbourhood Team said; “While we do not have a huge problem with knife crime in the town, and recorded violent crime fell in Waveney by more than 20% last year, previous amnesties have proved successful in collecting hundreds of unwanted weapons.

“Every one put in the bin is one less that could be stolen and used for crime and we often see quite nasty weapons, such as samurai swords, being handed in.

Waveney Community Safety Partnership, who own the bin, are supporting the initiative which is part of the Nightsafe scheme in the town, and it is hoped that local people will take advantage of the bin while it is in place to take potentially dangerous items out of circulation.

The secure bin will be regularly emptied throughout the campaign.