Anyone living or working in the Beccles, Bungay or Halesworth area is being given the opportunity to get rid of any unwanted weapons ‘no questions asked’ over the next few weeks as a six-week amnesty gets underway in the neighbourhood.

From Monday, 9 March, the bright yellow amnesty bin will be situated in the Hungate Lane car park in Beccles – the first of three locations in the area that will have the bin between now and mid April.

From Monday 23 March the bin will be moved to the Rainbow car park at Hillside Road in Bungay and then from Monday 6 April the bin will be sited at the Rainbow Saxon Way car park at Halesworth.

Any unwanted weapons – knives, air weapons, etc – can be left in the bin, which is marked with the Nightsafe logo, at any of the locations, and Acting Inspector Kevin Howell is urging members of the public to take advantage of the initiative.

“Previous amnesties have seen hundreds of items handed in including everything from kitchen knives and firearms to more unusual items such as swords, flares, bayonets and ammunition.

“The Beccles Neighbourhood is a relatively low crime area, but we recognise that many people may have items that are sitting in an attic, shed or cupboard that that they may wish to get rid of.

“Under normal circumstances they would not pose a threat, however if they fell into the wrong hands – perhaps if you were burgled for example – these could be used for crime.

“Every item collected means one less in circulation so we would ask everyone to clear any unwanted weapons and make use of the bin.”

Waveney Community Safety Partnership, who own the bin, are supporting the initiative, which is part of the Nightsafe scheme to address violent crime in the district.

The secure bin will be regularly emptied throughout the campaign.