MORE than 80 knives were handed in across the county, as part of a week-long amnesty in July, Surrey Police revealed earlier this month.

The maximum penalty for carrying a knife is four years in jail or a £5,000 fine.

Knife bins were placed at police stations in Guildford, Woking, Reigate and Staines, with people encouraged to hand their blades in anonymously without the fear of prosecution.

The amnesty was part of a national initiative, Operation Sceptre, aimed at tackling knife crime.

Police were encouraging people to recognise that carrying a knife does not provide protection, and a weapon can be used inadvertently in the heat of the moment – or can be turned against the owner and have life-changing effects.

During the amnesty, officers carried out weapon sweeps and patrols across the county with various partner agencies, including housing agencies, council enforcement teams and Park Patrol.

Superintendent Gary Pike, who headed Operation Sceptre, said: “Thank-you to all those who helped support this campaign.

“I’m pleased to see a number of knives have been removed from the streets. As far as I’m concerned, one knife is one too many.

“To all those tempted to still carry a knife, our message is clear, it won’t protect you, in fact you’re more likely to come to harm. You will get prosecuted if you are caught. Please think twice before going out with a knife.”

Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner David Munro said: “I would like to extend my thanks to everyone who helped support our most recent knife amnesty campaign, which encouraged knife owners to safely dispose of these harmful and deadly weapons and

“I am pleased 80 knives were handed in. We’ve all seen the devastating effect knife crime can have on people’s lives and we must continue working together to rid these off our streets.

“I am pleased the amnesty again helped reduce the number of these deadly weapons in Surrey and I hope those still carrying knives will think twice.

“With Surrey Police, myself and my office will continue to raise awareness, particularly amongst young people, that carrying a knife can have the most serious of consequences.

“They are too often seen as a form of protection when really they pose serious danger to those carrying the knives and others around them.”

All knives surrendered as part of the amnesty will be used to create a ‘Dove of Peace Monument’, which will represent the national intolerance of violent and aggressive behaviour associated with knife crime.