A KNIFE crime blitz is underway in Devon with police urging people to hand in any unwanted bladed items throughout next week.

The great ‘hand-in’ operation kicks off on Monday and lasts till Sunday with two county police stations taking in the discarded weaponry.

Previously surrendered pieces have included zombie knives, swords, kitchen utensils, lock knives, unwanted collectibles, replicas and ceremonial items.

Officers are supporting a week of action instigated as part of the continued Home Office operation, Sceptre, which has nationwide aims of combating knife crime and raising awareness about its fatal consequences.

All designated police inquiry offices will have collection bins in which members of the public can deposit items anonymously.

Nearest participants are the Heavitree Road station at Exeter and Torquay’s South Street.

Opening times and location map can be found on www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/contact/police-enquiry-offices

Chief Supt Glen Mayhew, commander of the Devon and Cornwall Police and Dorset Police Alliance operations department, said: ‘Our message is clear. There is no excuse for carrying a knife.

‘There are plenty of sad incidents across the country where someone has produced a knife in the heat of the moment, with the intention of it being more symbolically threatening than as a weapon, but who have come off worse because of it. We can prevent such injuries and deaths by taking knives off the street.’

He added: ‘Any knife or bladed article carried for anything other than legitimate reasons is not only illegal but dangerous so if you don’t need it or don’t have a good reason for carrying it then bin it. Getting these items out of circulation is important and this is an opportunity to ensure we all contribute to removing these items from the streets.’

The maximum penalty for an adult carrying a knife is four years in prison and an unlimited fine. A prison sentence is imposed for a second conviction for being armed with a knife.

Guidance on basic laws on knives, banned knives and weapons and good reasons for carrying a knife can be found on the government’s website www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives

Advice for young people aged 11-14 about carrying weapons can be found on www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/youth/11-14/yrspace/weapons