A TOTAL OF 380 knives were handed in at police stations across Herefordshire during the National Knife Amnesty, which took place from May 24 to June 30.

The figure has been welcomed by West Mercia Constabulary as part of its drive to ensure weapons do not fall into the wrong hands. While the majority of those surrendered under the amnesty were domestic knives, some 67 classified as weapons were also handed in. These included several bayonets, machetes, a sword and a variety of flick knives.

Across the whole Force area, more than 1,500 knives were removed from local communities.

"We are pleased to be able to take these knives out of circulation and glad that so many people took the chance to surrender unwanted knives," said PC Taryn Green, from the Force’s Community Safety Department.

"Although knife crime accounts for less than one percent of all crime across West Mercia, when it does happen it is treated seriously because in extreme cases it can have fatal consequences.

"The results of the amnesty show that people took advantage of the opportunity to go into their local stations to deposit their unwanted knives.

"While we recognise that amnesties of this nature do not reach the hardened criminal, they do remove knives from circulation and that could mean that a serious weapon does not fall into the wrong hands."

Research shows that white young men, aged between 16-25 are most likely to be the victim and the perpetrator of knife crime, with more than 40 percent of all incidents reported being connected to the possession of a knife.

The police remain concerned at the number of young men who carry knives – whether in the belief that it is for self-defence or as a fashion accessory. The message is simple; carrying a knife is not glamorous, can be deadly and is both unnecessary and unacceptable

All the knives collected in the amnesty are now being destroyed.

The announcement by Policing Minister Tony McNulty that there will be no forced police service mergers in England and Wales has been welcomed as "extremely good news" for communities in Herefordshire and the wider West Mercia area.

Paul Deneen, chair of West Mercia Police Authority reaffirmed the commitment to create a Strategic Police Service for the force area, to reflect the views of local communities. He said: "We have always been committed to the view that evolution rather than revolution is the way forward in bringing about change in policing.

"West Mercia Police Authority and Chief Constable Paul West understand the importance of ensuring that the policing service we provide to local residents is effective in dealing with the challenges of the 21^st century.

"Our investment of an extra £2.9 million, in additional services to boost West Mercia Constabulary’s ability to continue to effectively deal with major and critical incidents, serious and organised crime and terrorism is now well under way. We are confident that these extra resources will be in place by April 2008.

"This investment shows how the police authority has recognised and responded to the call from the Home Office to ensure our local police service is robust and resilient for the future.

"And we have made this investment at no additional cost to local council tax payers."

24^th June/5^th July: A Peugeot 106 parked in Browning Road has been damaged on two separate occasions.

29^th June/2^nd July: A property in Upperfields was broken into. Entry was made by breaking a kitchen window, an untidy search was made and a laptop computer stolen.

29^th June/4^th July: A 15-year-old was found supplying a class C controlled drug in Church Street.

1^st July: The front passenger window of a Vauxhall Astra estate parked in Knapp Lane was broken and various items taken from the glove box of the vehicle.

2^nd/3^rd July: A Suzuki moped and a quantity of unleaded petrol was stolen from a garage in Mabels Furlong.

4^th July: A male stole two jars of Garnier face cream from a store in town.

5^th July: A purse was stolen from the owner of a shop in The Homend, and a drain pipe was damaged at the council offices in St Katherine’s.

5^th/6^th July: The drivers’ window on a VW Caddy parked in the Lawnside Road car park was smashed.

5^th/10^th July: A silver VW Polo parked in the John Masefielsd High School car park was damaged.

6^th July: The rear screen of a Nissan Prairie parked in Lawnside Road was smashed.

7^th/11^th July: A young male was found to be supplying a controlled drug in Bye Street.

8^th July: Parts to an electric fence were stolen from a field at a Bradlow farm.

10^th July: Cosmetics worth almost £200 were stolen from a shop in the High Street.

10^th/11^th July: A plastic drainpipe at the Council offices in St Katherine’s car park was damaged for the third time. There were reports of further damage on July 11^th/12^th, and the security lighting was damaged on the night of 24^th/25^th July.

11^th/12^th July: A distinctive lime green & black bicycle with a white wicker basket was stolen from outside a shop in the Homend. The cycle was later recovered but badly damaged.

12^th July: A former pupil of John Masefield High School was arrested whilst trespassing on the school premises for attempting to sell a controlled substance.

12^th/13^th July: Two blue glazed posts were stolen from the driveway of a house in Masefield Avenue.

13^th/14^th July: An unsuccessful attempt was made to enter premises at Old Wharf. A padlock was damaged during the attempt.

14^th July: A ‘Herde’ silver single axled trailer with drop down sides with red stripe, 2 stop end bumpers was stolen from Churchill Meadow. A blue sweatshirt and a 5-litre container in the trailer were also taken.

15^th July: Two teenage brothers were injured during an incident in Orchard Lane during which their money was stolen.

18^th July: Two mixed packets of crisps were stolen from a shop in the Homend.

A window was broken in the Southend by youths with a football. A stolen card was used to remove £300 from a town centre ATM.

18^th/19^th July: A blue Renault 5 parked in St Katherine’s car park was moved from the original parking bay. No damage was caused to the vehicle.

A white Vauxhall Vectra parked nearby was damaged during the same period.

20^th July: A male received a call from the finder of his wallet following a visit to Tesco’s. Cash and a cheque had been taken.

On the same day, a Nokia mobile phone was taken from the counter of a shop in Bank Crescent.

24^th July: Roofing tiles being thrown into the vents damaged Air conditioning units at the Community Hall.

25^th July: A KTM200 EXC motor cycle valued at £3,500 was stolen from dealers in Little Marcle Road.

28^th/29^th July: A brown coloured trailer tent cover was taken from a property in Churchill Meadows.

29^th/31^st July: A 4’ wooden bar, rustic shaped, was stolen from the rear garden of property in Churchill Meadow.

31^st July: A double glazed door in Drinkwater Close was damaged when a lump of ornamental stone was thrown at the property.

28^th/29^th July: A window in a property in Forge Bank was damaged, possibly by an air rifle pellet.

Website: www.westmercia.police.uk