A second knife amnesty bins is being installed in Harrogate this week as part of a national police action week.
The town already has a permanent knife bin between Asda car park and Dragon Road car park to encourage people to safely get rid of potentially lethal weapons.
But a second amnesty bin is being put at Harrogate Police Station on Beckwith Head Road this week.
Bins are being installed in police stations in Harrogate, York, Scarborough, Malton, Northallerton and Skipton as part of the ‘save a life – bin a knife’ national police campaign running from today until Sunday.
Police will also be educating young people this week about the dangers of knife crime as well as carrying out high-visibility patrols, stop and searches and other enforcement activity in areas linked to possible knife crime.
A North Yorkshire Police press release today said:
“Simply wrap an unwanted knife in thick paper or cardboard as a safety precaution, and bring it directly to one of the locations.
“You do not have to give your name or any other details – just drop it in the clearly-marked bin.
“The aim of the bins is not only to reduce knife crime, but also give reassurance to people who simply want to dispose of unwanted knives and sharp objects – such as old kitchen knives, or unused work tools – safely and securely.”
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Detective Superintendent Andrea Kell, of North Yorkshire Police, said:
Crime commissioner’s office to move to Harrogate Police Station“Every knife placed in an amnesty bin is one less knife that could be used as a lethal weapon on the streets. That’s why I’m urging everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to dispose of them this week.”
North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe is set to relocate her office to Harrogate Police Station.
The Conservative commissioner, whose job is to scrutinise the performance of the force as well as the fire service, will move in alongside officers on Beckwith Head Road on June 1 this year.
Ms Metcalfe’s office, which employs about 30 staff, is currently based on Granby Road in Harrogate.
The current office on Granby Road in Harrogate
The move comes as part of the commissioner’s strategy to optimise her estate and “improve partnership working and communications”.
Simon Dennis, chief executive and monitoring office at the commissioner’s office, said:
“We expect to save approximately £80,000 per year by changing our office arrangements. Like many progressive organisations, the commissioner’s team has a strong commitment to flexible, agile working and our office accommodation needs have changed in recent years.
“We have been working closely with the estates team, chief constable and chief fire officer to ensure we are all making the most efficient and effective use of the police and fire station buildings.
“In addition to our office re-location the team will also work more flexibly from home and other police and fire buildings.
“The team are really excited and are looking forward to the move which will not only save money but improve our working relationships with the police and fire service.”
Harrogate Police Station
Ms Metcalfe added:
“The public expect police and fire buildings to be used efficiently, especially at this time of strain on our finances, so I am pleased that we can make a contribution towards savings by vacating our office at Granby Road.”
The commissioner’s office said it would continue to review the use of its estates as it planned for devolution and the introduction of a mayoral office.
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