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Large knives, swords and machetes were among 150 weapons taken off the streets last week as part of a weapon amnesty.

Cambridgeshire Police held a week-long initiative from 13 May with amnesty bins placed across Peterborough, Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire, as well as a mobile service in the village of Soham.

According to figures released by the force, possession of knives in the area decreased by 5% between 2023-24, with 312 weapons collected so far. Between 2022-23, 329 weapons were handed in.

Darryl Preston, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, called the amnesty a "promising result."

Police officers also conducted 69 "weapon sweeps" in parks and public areas, recovering eight hidden items. They also attended schools to speak to young people about the dangers of carrying knives.

It is currently illegal to sell a knife to anyone under 18, carry a knife in public without good reason, carry or buy any form of banned weapon - and use any knife in a threatening way, including a Swiss Army device.

The maximum penalty for an adult carrying a knife is four years in prison and a fine of £5,000.

Insp Karl Secker said: "Amnesties are just one tactic we use when tackling knife crime, they are not the sole solution, but it’s important to give people the opportunity to surrender items.

"Officers visited multiple schools to talk to various age groups about knife crime.

"It’s vital we reach young people with these messages to make them aware of the dangers."

Mr Preston added: "With more than 150 weapons being surrendered, this is a promising result.

“Knife amnesties are a great way of raising awareness of the dangers of carrying knives and I remain committed to investing in projects and leading the county’s response to combat knife crime."

Previous weapon amnesty was held in November when 170 weapons were handed into the police.

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