Anti-knife crime initiatives are set to be rolled out across Greater Manchester following the success of schemes in Wigan Borough, where more than 2,700 knives have been handed in at our disposal bins.
The initiative, which is part of the work of the Community Safety Partnership, has also seen hundreds of residents taking part in ‘Stop the bleed’ training sessions to licensees, students and community groups in Wigan and Leigh.
The partnership, which includes council officers, emergency services, and colleagues from health, is also continuing its support of the Let’s Be Blunt campaign – set up by Leanne Lucas, a survivor of the Southport attack – to encourage residents to make the switch to blunt-ended knives.
Councillor Kevin Anderson, cabinet portfolio holder for police, crime and civil contingencies, said: “One of the largest and most significant investments we have made this year is towards the prevention of weapon enabled crime, including knives.
“Led by our violence reduction officer, this programme of work has been extensive, and in the last 12 months Greater Manchester Police has recorded a 15.2 per cent reduction in crimes involving weapons across the Wigan Borough.
“Our initiatives are now being considered for implementation across Greater Manchester, and that’s thanks to the hard work and dedication of our staff, partners and the inspiring efforts of Leanne Lucas.
“Leanne has provided a strong lived experience voice to our work, and we are happy to have adopted her campaign.”
To encourage the disposal of knives, four knife bins were installed in July 2025 at Wigan Bus Station, Platt Bridge, Gas Street in Leigh town centre, and Pemberton. More were also installed across the borough’s three recycling centres in Ince, Leigh, and Atherton in November, along with a second bin in Atherton.
As part of the Let’s Be Blunt campaign, the borough has also successfully made the switch to blunt-ended knives in 11 settings where a risk, which could range from a domestic abuse or mental health risk, has been identified. The switch to blunt-ended knives is also being rolled out across council buildings and several council community venues.
In 2025 the most common method of homicides was by a sharp instrument, including knives at 39%, and the most used sharp instrument was recorded as a kitchen knife in 95 homicides last year, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Forensic science lecturer, Leisa Nichols-Drew, of De Montfort University Leicester (DMU), who is also supporting the Let’s Be Blunt campaign, has carried out research into the safety of round-tipped knives compared to pointed blades, finding them far less likely to penetrate materials.
Leanne Lucas said: “Most of us have kitchen knives in our homes, and the reality is we don’t always know who around us might be going through a crisis.
“The campaign isn’t aimed at people already on a criminal path. It’s about everyday situations where, in a moment of crisis, someone has easy access to a kitchen knife.
“That is why Let’s Be Blunt takes a public health approach to prevention – reducing risk and removing the potential for tragedy before it happens.”
The Let’s Be Blunt campaign, which is now a CIC, works with the Community Safety Partnership in Wigan Borough and other local authorities across the country.
Leanne added: “I’ve spoken to people who have been in vulnerable situations who say switching to these safer alternative knives has changed their lives.
“People might choose to go down a criminal path, but no one should ever have to become a victim.
“By helping people understand how quickly a moment of crisis can escalate, the campaign encourages simple changes that quietly reduce the risk of something serious ever happening.”
Stop the Bleed kits have also been installed as part of the initiatives. The publicly accessible supplies can be found at several locations across the borough and help control severe bleeding until emergency services arrive.
View a full list of knife disposal bins and Stop the Bleed locations.
Councillor Anderson added: “I am pleased to say that the Community Safety Partnership continues to help make our borough safer for everyone who lives, work or visits.
“Our knife prevention work continues to attract regional endorsement and deliver tangible results, and we must keep the momentum going.”
Find out more about the Wigan Borough Community Safety Partnership.
