MORE than 200 bladed weapons have been removed from the streets of North Yorkshire in a national week of action aimed at reducing knife crime.

The 221 weapons were surrendered at bins located in police stations around the county and they included hunting knives and swords.

As part of the campaign, students were also provided with materials and advice educating them about the dangers of carrying knives.

Sergeant Neil Northend, who helped co-ordinate the week of action, said: “Even though levels of knife crime in North Yorkshire are low we must not be complacent and we work hard to take these weapons off our streets. Through our collection bins we have had 221 weapons, in varying forms, handed in from standard kitchen knives, to hunting knives and swords.”