Machete among weapons surrendered in knife bin

A machete and a hunting knife were among more than 20 weapons left in a West Yorkshire town's first permanent knife disposal bin, police said.

The secure bin was installed on Byram Street in Huddersfield in January as part of a new initiative to help get blades off the streets.

West Yorkshire Police said reducing knife crime was a "key priority" for both the police and communities who want to feel safe.

As part of operations to target those involved in knife crime, officers have been carrying out high-visibility patrols in and around the bus station as well as in known crime hotspots.

Police said knife crime continued to decline in Kirklees, with overall incidents 11% lower in January 2026 than in January 2025.

Supt Warren Pittman said: "Policing operations to target those involved in knife offending continue and we also continue to work closely with partners including Kirklees Council, Huddersfield BID and the Violence Reduction Partnership on initiatives to discourage people from carrying weapons."

"The installation of a knife bin has been another very positive step, and we are pleased to see it has been well used and resulted in the safe disposal of weapons we would much rather were not on the streets.

"Positively, knife crime in Kirklees has continued to fall and we remain committed to reducing it further."

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