A CHURCH has been taking blades of the streets after installing a knife bin to encourage youngsters to give up the deadly weapons.
St Joseph the Worker Church in Yeading lane, Northolt has already collected about 40 in its strong box since setting up the scheme in December.
They were contacted by Christian charity Word 4 Weapons who arranged it and makes regular collections to take the knives away.
Chris Hill, 25, of the St Joseph and Dovetail Centre Youth Project, said: "We heard that some people around here carry knives and if this makes them think that maybe they don't want to do that any more then that's a good thing.
"We're mainly targeting young people. Some feel safe if they have one with them because a person they meet might have one. It's a bit of a cycle.
We talk to young people about how actually they're less safe with one because by carrying one it can escalate the problem."
Those that hand in their weapons can pick up an All I Need Bag which includes a bible, a DVD on carrying blades and a raft of advice from different charities on getting your life on the right track. The bin is supported by the Northolt West End Safer Neighbourhood Team.
And Mr Hill explained the scheme is more effective than knife amnesties and other temporary schemes.
He said: "The police put them in different places and it goes in the press and then they go again. Ours is going to be here for a long time, so if maybe this week they don't want to, in six months time they might realise they want to put it away and we'll be here."
Visit www.word4weapons.co.uk to find out more about Word 4 Weapons.
