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Ashford Borough Council’s Community Safety Unit has given the local knife bins a fresh makeover and a brand-new name. Now officially called “amnesty bins,” the revamp highlights that these secure drop-offs aren’t just for blades—you can also safely and anonymously hand over other risky items like catapults or heavy blunt objects.
The council are quick to point out that having a bin nearby doesn’t mean your neighbourhood has a knife crime problem; it’s simply part of a borough-wide push to make these points cleaner, safer, and easier to access.
As part of the update, the old bin at Park Mall has moved over to Court Wurtin, while a brand-new spot has opened on Station Road in Tenterden thanks to a joint effort with Kent Police and Tenterden Town Council. They’ve even tucked a spare bin away in storage just in case one gets damaged or another location needs support down the line.
Councillor Katrina Giles, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Health, praised the initiative, thanking project partners Aspire and Kent Police for pitching in with vital time, materials, and support to keep local streets safe.
If you need to drop something off, you can find the refurbished amnesty bins scattered across key local spots: Dover Place Car Park, Bockhanger Court in Kennington, Otterden Close, the newly relocated Court Wurtin site on Beaver Lane, and right by the Tenterden toilets on Station Road. The Community Safety Unit will be keeping a close eye on all five to make sure they stay maintained, but if you have any quick questions about how they work, feel free to drop the team an email at csu@ashford.gov.uk.