A KNIFE amnesty bin will be set up outside a Pitsea community centre with “no questions asked” of those who dispose of blades.

The initiative will be part of a day of action on Saturday, which will see community groups march through the area to unite against knife crime.

The ‘Say No to Knife Crime’ march has been jointly organised by Basildon Council and Basildon Community Safety Partnership, and is being backed by Essex Police.

Marchers will meet at Basildon Upper Academy, in Wickford Avenue, at 10.30am, before walking through the Pitsea streets to Northlands Park Community Centre.

A secure knife amnesty bin will be placed near Chalvedon Community Centre, in Chalvedon Square.

The bin will be emptied regularly and will remain in place “for as long as is needed”.

Terri Sargent, councillor responsible for environment and community, said: “This is an important initiative in the light of some recent incidents and is intended to show that the majority of people in Basildon are against knife crime and want to take positive steps to stop it happening.

“Basildon Council is pleased to be working with many of its partners to unite the community and I’m particularly pleased that the message and dangers of knife crime will be taken into the schools to educate our youngsters.”

The charity Only Cowards Carry will be conducting a series of weapons awareness lessons and workshops in schools as part of the initiative, funded by the Heart of Pitsea organisation.