Sharps bins come in an array of styles, sharps and sizes. But the Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, Devon, has need for an ever larger range of bins to disposal their frightening array of confiscated sharps.
This astonishing photograph shows a frightening 3ft-long sword disguised as a walking stick, which was seized by police from a hospital. The home-made weapon was created from a copper pipe with a 7in metal blade at the end, and was part of a haul of 20 knives confiscated at Derriford Hospital.
The collection, which also included craft knives, kitchen knives and scissors, had been taken from patients and visitors or found abandoned around the hospital over the past two years.
The haul was handed over to PC Sally Cliff of Devon and Cornwall Police last weekend and will now be destroyed by the force. She said: ‘Staff at the hospital informed us they had a selection of items found around the hospital and could I go up and seize them.