TWICE as many weapons have been handed to Kent Police in the second week of the knife amnesty.

In the first week of the campaign, 405 knives and weapons were handed in to special red bins around the county. The total figure now stands at 1,216 – a rise of 811.

Among the items handed in to police in West Kent was an extendable baton, similar to those carried by police.

In Mid Kent a total of 197 bladed weapons have been handed in at police stations in Maidstone, Sittingbourne, Sheerness and Faversham during the first two weeks of the amnesty, which began on May 24.

At Maidstone police station, around 30 more knives were handed in this week, including another large Nepalese ceremonial knife, known as a Khukuri, plus a flick knife, a dagger and some domestic knives, and bringing the total collected in the town to 67.

About 2,000 flyers have also been distributed in schools around the area.

John Grant, crime reduction and architectural liaison officer, said: “We expect to continue taking knives and, in the county as a whole, we will end up with a few thousand by the end of the amnesty.”

Elsewhere in the county, another extendable baton went to police in North Kent, a samurai sword was given in to Canterbury police and an antique miniature flintlock gun, possibly a replica, was handed in to police in South Kent along with six bullets.

Ch Insp Mark Harrison, of Kent Police, said: “Every knife off the streets potentially saves a life.

"When we began this amnesty we hoped that over the five weeks of the campaign we would see as many knives and weapons handed in that our officers seize from the county’s streets each year – which is around a thousand.

"However, the public response has already surpassed our expectations but it is clear that the message is getting through – every knife off the streets potentially saves a life.

"The amnesty is continuing for a further three weeks. I’m confident we’ll receive many more knives and weapons because the public support for this amnesty is clearly very strong."

Details of where to find the bins are available on the Amnesty Information Line – 01622 654321 – and also on the Kent Police website at www.kent.police.uk.

People handing in knives and other weapons are asked to wrap them in cardboard and secure them with tape before disposal.