Total of 140 knives handed in during police amnesty

In total, 30 knives were handed in across Preston, Chorley, South Ribble and Skelmersdale.

Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde, as well as North Lancashire, saw a total of 41 weapons handed in, while 69 knives were handed in in East Lancashire.

Among the weapons given up were penknives, machetes, swords, axes, zombie knives, kitchen knives and large blades. Officers will now safely dispose of all of the items that were handed in.

Test purchasing operations were also, with the force using police cadet volunteers to check on businesses selling knives or blades.

Chief Inspector Mark Baines said: “We’ve been delighted with the response from our communities, and it’s really pleasing to see all of the items passed to us are now in safe hands and can’t cause harm to anyone.

“I would still like to appeal to youngsters that carrying a knife doesn’t offer them protection, and not only is being in possession of a knife in a public place a criminal offence, young people are also more likely to be stabbed and seriously injured with their own weapon. You can still hand in a weapon at one of our front counters to dispose of it safely.”

Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said: “I have no doubt lives will have been saved as a result of this knife surrender.”