Knife surrender van stopped off in Hackney on UK tour to remove weapons from the streets - no questions asked
A mobile weapons surrender van operated by FazAmnesty is touring the UK to allow people to anonymously and safely dispose of knives and other weapons.
The initiative, supported by the Home Office and Metropolitan Police, comes ahead of the nationwide ban on ninja swords (weapons typically with a blade between 14 to 24 inches), which takes effect from 1 August.
This means it will be illegal to possess, manufacture, import or sell these deadly weapons.
From 1 August, anyone caught in possession of a ninja sword could face 6 months in prison, and this will later increase to 2 years under new measures in the Crime and Policing Bill.
The van is part of a broader initiative to reduce knife crime and remove dangerous weapons from the streets.
Faron Paul started FazAmnesty after he saw the damage knife crime and anti-social behaviour was doing to communities. “I myself was stabbed nine times on two separate occasions,” he said, “and I just saw a lot of people losing themselves and their lives.”
In an attempt to intervene before it’s too late, his organisation is travelling around the country collecting weapons - no questions asked. People can either drop their weapons and walk away or engage with the team at the van for further support.
Faron continued: “No one has ever been arrested or prosecuted, we don’t take any names. Trust is what I believe my organisation thrives off.”
This trust is how he believes he has been able to successfully remove thousands of weapons from circulation across the UK since FazAmnesty began.
On Monday, 21 July, the van stopped off in Hackney during the tour around the UK as part of the National Weapons Surrender Scheme.
Cllr Susan Fajana-Thomas OBE, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Regulatory Services said: “We are pleased to support the Home Office’s National Weapons Surrender Scheme and the work of FazAmnesty as it creates an opportunity to safely dispose of knives and prevent further harm in our community.”
“We are passionate about making Hackney safer and would encourage anyone in possession of any weapons to do the right thing and surrender them.”
There are two permanent weapons surrender bins in Hackney at St Ignatius Church, 27 High Street, N15 6ND and St John at Hackney, Lower Clapton Road, E5 0PD.
Hackney Council is working closely with the police and partners to tackle serious violence, including knife crime. Last year it launched an innovative new scheme to combat knife crime and robbery, and earlier this year hosted the first ever Hackney anti-knife crime summit.