A knife amnesty is being run in Gloucestershire as part of a national campaign.

Operation Sceptre, which aims to take bladed weapons off the streets, runs from last Monday, May 16, until Sunday, May 22.

Gloucestershire Constabulary is taking part in the campaign with dedicated amnesty bins being placed in police stations around the county.

The Offensive Weapons Act (OWA) 2019 legislation has recently tightened the rules on the possession of bladed weapons, including the sale and delivery of knives and taking blades on to school premises. It is also now an offence to have corrosive products on the street.

Superintendent Jane Probert said: "Violent crime has increased in the UK in recent years and Gloucestershire has been no exception to this.

"While the figures show that knife crime is actually lower here than many other areas, we understand there have been some tragic cases in the county and that people have huge concerns about it.

"This campaign is part of wider work we are doing with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and partner agencies to ensure we tackle the issue and work to make our streets safer.

"The surrender will prevent weapons from getting into the wrong hands whilst providing members of the community with a safe place to dispose of any knives they may have, whether held lawfully or unlawfully."

Members of the public are advised to use a few sheets of newspaper or cardboard to wrap a knife ensuring that there is enough material to prevent it piercing through.

It should also be sealed with sticky tape to stop the knife being easily removed or falling out of the wrapping.

The stations where items can be handed in are:

• Hester's Way, Cheltenham
• Bearlands, Gloucester
• Stroud
• Cirencester
• Coleford