Barnet residents surrender 14,500 knives in Home Office amnesty bins

Barnet residents have contributed to a nationwide surrender of 14,500 knives and weapons since July 2025, as part of a Home Office-backed amnesty scheme. The initiative, which includes static bins and mobile vans, has seen a reduction in knife crime across London, with overall offences down 11% since July 2024.

Policing minister Sarah Jones said the scheme aims to make communities safer by removing dangerous weapons from streets. The Home Office has funded 37 surrender bins in London, Greater Manchester, and the West Midlands, with an additional eight bins launched in South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire this year.

Knife crime falls as surrender scheme expands

Home Office figures show knife crime in London has fallen by 11% since July 2024. Knife-enabled robberies have decreased by 16%, while knife-linked homicides have dropped by 26%. The surrender bins, managed by the charity Word 4 Weapons, operate on a 'no questions asked' basis, allowing individuals to hand in weapons anonymously.

A mobile surrender van operated by Fazamnesty has also collected 783 weapons. The van visits different locations, providing an additional option for those who wish to dispose of knives without facing legal consequences. Barnet Council has not confirmed whether the van has visited the borough, but residents can check Fazamnesty’s schedule for updates.

Campaigner welcomes scheme’s impact

Pooja Kanda, whose 16-year-old son Ronan was killed in a knife attack in Wolverhampton in 2022, welcomed the surrender scheme. Kanda campaigned for Ronan’s Law, which banned ninja swords, weapons with a straight cutting edge between 14 and 24 inches long. The law came into effect last year.

Kanda said the surrender scheme provides young people and others carrying dangerous weapons with a safe opportunity to dispose of them. She added that there are no winners in knife crime, emphasising the importance of removing weapons from circulation to prevent further harm.

What happens next

The Home Office has not announced plans to expand the surrender bin scheme in Barnet. Residents can check the Home Office website for the nearest bin locations or contact Fazamnesty for details on the mobile van’s schedule. The scheme remains active, with no end date confirmed.