A weapon surrender bin has been newly set up just outside the Shepton Mallet police station, with the goal of enabling the public to discard knives and other weapons in a safe, anonymous manner.

The initiative aims to contribute to the prevention of street knife crime.

A spokesperson for the Avon and Somerset Police said, "Introducing this new surrender bin in Shepton Mallet is an essential step in our ongoing efforts to combat knife crime.

"By providing a safe and anonymous way for people to dispose of weapons, we hope to make our streets safer for everyone."

The Shepton Mallet bin joins a network of 19 similar installations across Avon and Somerset.

Since the inception of these bins in 2016, they have collected more than 4,000 knives and other weapons.

Police have issued guidance for those looking to surrender a knife or other weapon:

1. Wrap the item securely in a material like a towel and place it in a bag to minimise the risk of injury.
2. Try to visit during daylight hours and when the police station is staffed.
3. Make a dedicated trip to dispose of the weapon, rather than carrying it around unnecessarily.
4. Check the station's opening hours, especially if surrendering a large item like a sword, which won't fit into the standard bins.