Machetes and meat cleavers are among the blood-curdling blades handed in during the week-long amnesty to tackle knife crime last week.

Hunting knives with serated edges, pocket knives that can be concealed and knives that should never be seen outside a butcher’s shop have been handed into police.

More than 50 weapons have been handed in across County Durham alone after knife bins were installed inside the front counters of Stanley, Newton Aycliffe, Spennymoor and Darlington police stations

Read more: The Northern Echo calls on the Prime Minister for urgent action on knife crime

The Northern Echo: Weapons were given up so they do not fall into the wrong hands Weapons were given up so they do not fall into the wrong hands (Image: Contributor)

People could deposit weapons, ornamental knives or bladed articles they no longer used completely anonymously.

The force also took proactive steps to tackle weapon-based violence through engagement and enforcement.

Of several people arrested, officers found ten prohibited offensive weapons within a property they had been called to following an assault, including two knuckle dusters, a butterfly knife, flick knife, three throwing stars and a set of nun chucks, all of which were seized.

In a second incident, whereby officers were responding to reports of a fight in a street, they carried out a search of a man and found a lock knife with a Stanley blade in his pocket, he was further arrested for this offence and enquires are now ongoing.

Inspector Michael Sammut, force lead for Operation Sceptre said: “The impact of knife crime on individuals, families and communities is truly devastating and long lasting.”

In the Northumbria force area more than 210 knives have been handed in, 117 people have been arrested and over 80 schools were visited in one week.

Read more: Open letter to Prime Minister for action on knife crime

The campaign was supported by the family of Connor Brown who died aged 18 after being fatally stabbed in Sunderland.

The Northern Echo: Connor Brown Connor Brown (Image: Contributor)

The Northern Echo: Simon and Tanya BrownSimon and Tanya Brown (Image: Contributor)

His mother Tanya said: “Getting any amount of knives and offensive weapons off the streets is positive news.

“This means all those who have handed them in through the knife amnesty do not wish to use them or for them to get in the wrong hands.

“These figures are amazing for one week’s work, but even more so, how many lives have potentially been saved from becoming either a victim or an offender is the main objective.

“Well done to all involved, and I hope the message continues in a positive way.”

The Northern Echo: Chief Superintendent Helena Barron with one of the knife bins Chief Superintendent Helena Barron with one of the knife bins (Image: Contributor)

Thirty-seven 37 knives were handed in to surrender bins across York and North Yorkshire and eight knives were taken off the streets by officers as they arrested suspects.

Officers spoke to a total of 695 young people at schools about the dangers of carrying a knife and visited four young people deemed to be particularly at risk of involvement in knife crime, to provide ‘one-to-one’ support.

Detective Superintendent Fran Naughton, from North Yorkshire Police, said: “Families and loved ones are the closest to those who may be carrying a knife, and will be the first to see the signs. I’d ask them to take the bravest step, and seek help."

Cleveland Police arrested 348 people during the week of action and carried out 149 stop and search checks.

Six knives were removed from the streets of the Cleveland area during the arrests and officers are still counting those handed in. 

Superintendent Emily Harrison, head of community safety for Cleveland Police said: “Knife crime has a devastating impact on our communities, and we work relentlessly to prevent people from becoming carriers of knives and to remove bladed weapons from our streets.

“Our message is clear; if you are carrying a knife you will be arrested and face the consequences. ”

Read next:

​If you want to read more stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here