Collection bins will be at Blandford, Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth between Tuesday 18 September and Friday 21 September during the knife amnesty. Members of the public will be able to dispose of unwanted knives and bladed items in the bins anonymously without fear of prosecution.

Knives of any description can be disposed of including illegal “zombie” knives, swords, kitchen knives, illegal lock knives, unwanted collectibles, replicas and ceremonial items.

Dorset Police is supporting a national week of action instigated by the Home Office.

“In Dorset, knife crime does not reach the levels that are reported in some major metropolitan areas of the country,” said superintendent Jared Parkin, Dorset Police knife crime lead.

“However this week we are supporting the national knife amnesty as part of our ongoing local approach. Focussing on prevention is key, as any knife taken out of circulation and off the street helps to prevent injuries and deaths.”

“Carrying a knife or bladed article is not only illegal but incredibly dangerous.

“Dorset Police’s message is simple: No good can come of carrying a knife.”

Martyn Underhill, Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner said, ‘’I fully support this initiative and would encourage anyone to take this opportunity to dispose of a knife safely and anonymously.

“Knife crime has a devastating effect on people’s lives and is causing concern for communities locally and nationally. We must take every opportunity to make people aware that carrying a knife can have extremely serious consequences and doing so poses a serious danger to themselves and to others.”

As well as responding to reports of someone carrying a knife, police officers can proactively use their powers to search where information or intelligence indicates it is necessary.

Between January to July 2018, there were 237 crimes where a knife was used to commit an offence. Over 100 searches for knives have been carried out since the beginning of 2018, where a knife was found on 12 occasions, and a further 15 voluntary interviews for possession of a knife.

The maximum penalty for an adult carrying a knife is four years in prison and carry’s an unlimited fine, with a guaranteed prison sentence if you’re convicted of carrying a knife more than once.

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