91Èȱ¬

A week-long weapons amnesty has been launched by police giving people an "excellent opportunity" to hand in knives without being prosecuted.

The scheme, which aims to cut violent crime in Cambridgeshire, also encourages people to hand in zombie knives, swords and knuckledusters.

Bins have been placed at the police stations at Thorpe Wood, Peterborough, and Parkside, Cambridge.

Insp Karl Secker said there was an "ongoing need" for amnesties.

There were 329 offences in Cambridgeshire involving possession of a blade in 2022-23 and 312 in the past year, Cambridgeshire Police said.

The weapons amnesty forms part of the national Operation Sceptre week of action.

Officers say they will also be visiting schools, working with retailers and targeting habitual knife carriers.

Insp Secker said: "This weapons amnesty provides people with another excellent opportunity to dispose of knives and other items - including those that are now illegal to own."

He said nearly 200 weapons were surrendered during the last amnesty in November.

There will also be knife bins at police stations at Cambourne on Tuesday and on Wednesday at Histon from 10:00 BST until 12:00, and at Sawston from 10:00 until 12:00.

Police warned it was illegal to carry a knife in public without good reason - unless it had a folding blade fewer than three inches (7.6cm) such as a Swiss army knife.

The maximum penalty for an adult carrying a knife is four years in prison and a fine of £5,000.

Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk, external or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830