Knife amnesty collects 900 blades

Det Supt Mark Drew said 900 weapons were destroyed

A knife amnesty and a crime awareness campaign in Hertfordshire has resulted in the collection of 900 weapons.

Bladed items were handed into deposit bins at police stations across the county over a six-week campaign between 15 September and 5 November.

They have all been shredded at Ampthill Metal Company in Bedford, police said.

"Whilst we don't share the same knife crime issues as inner cities, one incident is one too many," said amnesty organiser Det Supt Mark Drew.

"This campaign aimed to show both residents, and those tempted to carry a knife, our commitment to keeping knife crime out of Hertfordshire.

"Although the campaign has officially ended, the deposit bins will stay in place for the next few weeks offering people the opportunity to deposit a bladed item safely.

"Remember, if you carry a knife, it could be used against you.

"The past six weeks have been very successful, but of course, this is not the end.

"We will continue to make use of every tactic available to us, including the targeted use of metal detecting arches, to help keep knife crime out of the county."