Weapons seized in police campaign

More than 300 violent offenders have been arrested during the campaign

More than 2,750 weapons have been handed in or seized since Strathclyde Police launched a campaign to reduce violence at the start of the year.

Samurai swords, machetes, axes, knives and daggers were among the haul.

The majority of weapons taken off the streets were household knives and scissors which had been modified.

The force said higher impact policing and early morning raids had resulted in the arrest of more than 300 violent offenders during the campaign.

Strathclyde Police said more officers than ever before had been out on the streets during 2008.

In addition to core shift officers, about 1,200 normally department-based colleagues had committed one day a month to the campaign.

These were deployed to specific areas where problems with gangs, weapons, anti-social behaviour and violent offenders were prevalent.

Lives are ruined by knives and parents need to take an active and responsible role Assistant Chief Constable Campbell Corrigan Strathclyde Police

Assistant Chief Constable Campbell Corrigan said the campaign was needed to tackle the west of Scotland "blade culture".

"Some of the items recovered in the last six months are truly terrifying and yet these are the weapons being used by people on the street to kill and injure one another," he said.

"Young people who carry knives say it helps them feel protected and most probably have no intention of using it but the likelihood is, if you carry any type of weapon, you are increasing your chances of using it and you could potentially kill someone.

"Lives are ruined by knives and parents need to take an active and responsible role. Do you know what your child is doing when they are out of the house?

"Are they carrying one of your kitchen knives when they are out? Parents need to know the answers to these questions and taking action could result in saving a life."

Posters designed in support of the campaign have been placed throughout the force area including in subways and train stations.

Adverts have also been running on local radio to encourage communities to report people who carry weapons.