Swords and meat cleavers among 1,100 weapons left in knife bins amnesty

Blades, including swords and meat cleavers, were received in knife bins across Lancashire

More than 1,100 weapons have been handed in to police during a week-long amnesty in a bid to tackle knife crime.

Blades, including swords and meat cleavers, were received in knife bins across Lancashire, police said.

The force said the amount of weapons received- 1,112 - had almost doubled from 575 last year.

Knife bins were placed in areas including Morecambe, Blackpool, Burnley, Accrington and Lancaster.

Lancashire Police said it was part of a bid to educate young people about the dangers of knife crime and the force had hosted talks in 99 schools in the county.

Sgt Dan Whitaker hailed the amnesty, which ran between 13 and 20 November, as a "success", while Sgt Mick Johnson said the force had seen "some really positive results".

"We're pleased to see the public working with us to dispose of knives safely, and spread awareness of the laws surrounding them," he added.

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