A NEW weapon surrender bin has been installed outside Shepton Mallet Police Station.

It will encourage people to safely and anonymously discard knives or weapons to help prevent street-based knife crime.

Since 2016, more than 4,000 knives and other weapons have been surrendered through weapons bins across Avon and Somerset.

The Shepton Mallet bin is one of 19 bins that are now in place across the area.

Here's some advice from the police so anyone surrendering a knife or offensive weapon:

make sure items are wrapped in something such as a towel and carried in a bag to prevent injury;

consider going in daylight and during office hours when sites are staffed;

make a specific journey rather than carry an item for longer than necessary;

check opening hours before taking any large items such as swords, as these will not fit into the surrender bins.