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Report the use of knives and weapons

Knives and guns are offensive weapons and it is illegal to carry, sell, hire or make them available to another person.

When reporting the use of knives or weapons, try to provide the suspect’s:

  • name
  • address
  • age
  • number plate, if a vehicle is involved

If you have the information, tell us where the suspect is concealing the knife or weapon.

You can report someone who frequently carries an offensive weapon, such as a knife:

Immediate danger

Call 999 immediately if there is an ongoing incident involving a weapon.

Surrender a knife or offensive weapon

Under the Offensive Weapons Act, it is illegal to possess certain offensive weapons. This includes, but is not limited to, rapid firing rifles and specific types of knives, such as flick knives and zombie knives.

The possession, sale and manufacture of ninja swords is prohibited. Those found in public or private possession of this weapon face sentences ranging from six months to two years in prison.

When 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
Surrender a firearm

To surrender a firearm, take it to one of the following police sites:

When you arrive, tell the Enquiry Officer you are there to hand in a firearm before presenting it to them. They will be aware of the correct procedure for accepting a gun.

Surrender a knife

Unwanted knives can be disposed of safely in one of our surrender bins, which are permanently located outside the following police sites:

Permanent knife surrender bins are also located at:

  • Armadillo Centre, Station Road, Yate
  • Brunswick Square, York Street, St Paul’s, Bristol
  • Castle Park, Bristol City Centre (near the church grounds, opposite the entrance to The Galleries)
  • Fore Street, Taunton
  • Queensway Retail Park, Worle
  • Sainsbury’s, The Clink, Bridgwater
  • Sainsbury’s, County Walk, Taunton
  • Stapleton Road, Bristol (underneath the train station bridge)
  • Stars Lane, Yeovil
  • The Park Centre, Daventry Road, Knowle West, Bristol
Bleed kits

Members of the public, business owners, councils and community groups can buy a bleed kit from the Avon and Somerset Bleed Kit partnership via HeartSafe.

They are designed to be easy-to-use and instantly accessible by members of the public and bystanders to help before an ambulance arrives on scene.

In a medical emergency, always call 999 first and ask for an ambulance.

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