A STABBING victim has relived what happened to him as part of a county-wide knife amnesty.

The County Durham man, who needed 18 stitches after being stabbed in the hand and receiving slash wounds to his arm and leg, said: “I was looking over my shoulder all the time and I was cautious of what was going on around us.

“I still see people with knives in the streets. I didn’t want to report it at first because I was threatened with more attacks if I did.

“But always report it.”

Durham Police is tackling knife crime with Operation Brassen and is urging anyone with ornamental knives, weapons, or any items they no longer use are invited to dispose of them safely this week.

They can be dropped off at “knife bins” at police stations across the county.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Gray said: “Knife crime has the potential to devastate the lives of victims, families and communities. Even beyond the injuries, the effects can stay with a victim for the rest of their lives.

“Operation Brassen is about taking away the opportunity for these crimes to occur in the first place.”

If you have any information regarding knife crime, contact Durham Police on 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.