A total of 3774 knives and other weapons were handed in to Kent Police during a five week long national amnesty.

In the last week alone, 1564 knives and weapons were placed in the special red bins at police stations and other locations across the county.

The campaign began on 24 May and ended on Friday 30 June.

Throughout the campaign Kent Police has worked with partner agencies and members of the public in a bid to reduce the amount of knives and weapons being carried on the streets of the county.

Officers saw an encouraging public response in the first week with 464 knives and weapons handed in, 752 in the second week, 501 in the third week and 493 in the fourth week, before the amnesty ended with 1564 knives and weapons handed in during the final week.

Kent Police’s Chief Inspector Mark Harrison said: “When we began this amnesty we hoped that over the five weeks of the campaign we would see as many knives and weapons handed in that our officers seize from the county’s streets each year – which is around a thousand.’

He continued: “However, the public response has surpassed our expectations. It is clear that the message has got through – every knife off the streets potentially saves a life.

“Anyone who carries a knife or weapon should think carefully about why they do this and hand it in safely. Police and other emergency services have to deal with the consequences of knife crime. We are all aware that carrying a knife is not acceptable and that, given the response to this amnesty, the public believe that too.”

Total figures for knives and weapons handed in across Kent have now reached 3774 but officers will not stop there as they continue to push key education messages around the county.

Chief Inspector Harrison continued: “This amnesty has played a key part in making the law clear to members of the public.  Carrying knives as an offensive weapon will not be tolerated.  We will now target those we know carry dangerous weapons and deal with them robustly.

“There are thousands of people who have taken the opportunity to dispose of dangerous weapons using our special bins, those who continue to flout the law will be prosecuted.

“Carrying a knife or weapon for ‘protection’ is illegal and anyone found with an offensive weapon in a public place can face up to six months imprisonment and/or a £5,000 fine.”