Weapons amnesty

ALMOST 90,000 knives were handed in during the five-week national amnesty that ended last month, the British Government said yesterday.

The Home Office said 89,864 blades were handed in to police stations across England and Wales between May 24 and June 30 in response to the national campaign.

Among the weapons that were deposited in sealed red bins were cut-throat razors, samurai swords, axes, machetes, meat cleavers and an 1880 bayonet.

Surprised police officers in Devon and Cornwall even took receipt of a M72 lightweight anti-armour rocket launcher.