Knives Ruin Lives

Thames Valley Police actively targets knife crime and those who carry knives in phases of activity under Operation Sceptre. As part of this national operation, knife amnesty bins have been placed in police stations across the Thames Valley providing the opportunity for members of the public to dispose of knives and bladed articles in a safe and legal way. This is to prevent unwanted knives from finding their way onto the streets.

The secure amnesty bins, which are bolted to walls and concrete flooring, have a letter box design to allow knife deposits whilst stopping people reaching inside the bins. They are being closely monitored and regularly emptied with the contents carefully disposed of.

Changes to legislation brought about by the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 mean that from 14 July 2021, it is an offence to possess certain items such as knuckledusters, throwing stars and zombie knives, even in private.

When disposing of knives and bladed articles, please make sure that they are safely wrapped in tape and newspaper before putting in the bins.

Across the Thames Valley, you can find community amnesty bins at:

• Aylesbury; Southcourt Baptist Church, Penn Road, Cambridge Street Underpass next to Britannia Street and Anchor Lane, Rochester Place (garages),
• Maidenhead; The Boy in the Boat statue,
• Milton Keynes; Westcroft Centre, Wimborne Crescent, Frank Moran Centre (West Bletchley), Melrose Avenue (West Bletchley),
• Reading; Waitrose Car Park in Caversham, Cintra Park, Coley Park Community Centre, Kensington Park, Orts Road, Tilehurst Triangle, Chain Street,
• Slough; Arbour Park, Wexham Park Hospital, Langley Library,
• Windsor; Tesco in Dedworth Road, Vansittart Skatepark.

Knife amnesty bin locations at police stations

Buckinghamshire

• Aylesbury police station
• High Wycombe police station
• Milton Keynes police station, Witan Gate

Oxfordshire

• Abingdon police station
• Banbury police station
• St Aldates police station, Oxford

Berkshire

• Loddon Valley police station
• Maidenhead police station
• Newbury police station
• Reading police station
• Slough police station

If you have any information about the possession of knives or criminal activity relating to this type of crime, please call 101 or alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.