POLICE say 30 kitchen knives have been handed in during a six-week amnesty.

Members of the public in Consett were given the chance to dispose of unwanted knives and other bladed instruments as part of a police campaign.

Officers say that, although knife crime remains rare in the area, 10 people have been found in possession of a knife or other blade in public since January of last year.

Police Community Safety Officer Scott Ruddick said: "In each case the weapons were simply being carried by the individuals concerned and no reports were received of such weapons being used in any assaults.

"But, young people in particular need to be aware that carrying a bladed weapon in a public place is an offence and by choosing to do so they increase their likelihood of becoming a victim themselves."

He added: "People have responded to the amnesty in the way we hoped they would.

"By handing in their unwanted kitchen knives they are removing the potential for them to circulate in the community and the possibility of them finding their way onto Consett’s streets."