A team of former armed services personnel based in Stoke-on-Trent has launched a knife amnesty van to tackle knife crime across Staffordshire. Black Onyx Academy, a veteran-led training provider, will operate the vehicle, which is equipped with an amnesty bin allowing people to surrender blades without legal consequence.
Beyond collecting weapons
The initiative extends further than simply gathering knives. The group said the van would enable them to have "meaningful conversations with young people, families and communities" about knife crime.
Veterans' duty of care
Stefan Northfield, strategic lead and former Royal Marine, said veterans had a "duty of care" and wanted to share their own experiences as part of the effort to reduce knife crime in the region.