Knife surrender bins unveiled by Christina Edkins' mother

Mr Jones had spearheaded the knife amnesty before his sudden death last week, while Miss Edkins mother Kathleen Harris said she hoped those carrying knives would learn the error of their ways following her daughter's tragic death.

Mr Jones' widow Sarah Edmondson and his stepdaughter Frances Harrison pulled the wraps off the the bin which is located at Tabernacle Church, Dunstall Road, Whitmore Reans.

And the former police chief's loved ones paid tribute to him describing him as 'a man for the community'.

Mr Jones had been a champion of fighting the war on knife crime and had supported surrender bins at various locations across the West Midlands.

A ceremony was held at the church where anti-knife campaigners were among those to address around 50 people gathered.

Mrs Edmondson said: "Bob believed in policing from the ground up rather than being upstairs in an office somewhere. He would have loved to be here he was passionate about the surrender bins. He was a man for the community and it didn't matter if you were a boy passing by in the street or the chief constable he'd speak to everyone the same."

She added: "A knife is someone's life and if we can get them off the street and get people to surrender knives then we can save a life. It is immensely important. We have to teach all people that they are dangerous and we need to stop the people telling youngsters its ok to carry them."

Mr Jones' stepdaughter Frances added: "If you hurt someone with a knife you can't take that away. In the last few weeks we have experience what it is like to lose someone unexpectedly and it is crushing and now more than every we understand the pain families go through who lose someone unexpectedly."

The location of the surrender bin is just yards from the scene of double stabbing that took place on Francis Street on April 27.

Two men aged 26 and 27 were injured in the attack.

Christina's mother unveiled one knife surrender bin at Tesco Fiveways in Edgbaston.

The 16-year-old was stabbed to death on the top deck of a bus while on her way to Leaowes High School in March last year. Her family have since campaigned against knife crime.

At the event in Edgbaston yesterday, people dressed in purple, which was Christina's favourite colour.

Mrs Harris said: "I don't think people realise the effect that knife crime has on people. It destroys not only the victim's parents but their family and friends as well.

"We can never have our Christina back, but if this bin can even help one person to get rid of one knife, and save one life, then it will have been worthwhile."

"I would like to make people think more about knife crime, not just young people but adults as well.

"Be sure you are aware if your child is carrying a knife and explain to them what the consequences could be."