MORE than 800 knives have been handed in to Lancashire Police which covers Edgworth and Turton.

The blades were given up during a knife amnesty which has just come to an end. The haul included swords, machetes and commando knives. Police say people can continue to hand in any knife at any police station with a front counter as well being able to drop them into special bins.

Det Ch Insp Steve Dowson said: “We are keen to raise awareness of the devastating impact of knife crime and to reduce the number of families affected so we have decided to keep the knife bins indefinitely. While projects encouraging the surrender of knives are not a single solution to violence, they have an important role to play in inspiring communities to get behind education and preventative measures.”