Knife amnesty nets 1,000 weapons

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Weapons handed in include machetes, samurai swords, bayonets and pen knives

A youth-led knife amnesty has resulted in more than 1,000 weapons being handed in to police on Teesside.

The five-week campaign was suggested by a youth group in Stockton as a way of demonstrating that young people do not support knife crime.

Cleveland Police said 1,022 weapons had been handed in at collection points in four districts.

They included machetes, samurai swords, pen knives, kitchen knives and even axes, forks and knuckle dusters.

Cleveland's chief constable Sean Price said: "This amnesty demonstrates that the vast majority of our young people care deeply about their communities and are prepared to do their bit to help keep them safe for everyone.

"These bladed instruments, be they weapons or ornaments, could have caused serious injury in the wrong hands and I am glad they are off our streets."

The five-week initiative began on 4 September.