The national knife amnesty is nearing its end and West Mercia's assistant chief constable is urging anyone with an unwanted knife to make sure they hand it in at their nearest police station now.

West Mercia Constabulary, along with all police forces in the country, has been supporting the national knife amnesty since May 24 and this is the last week that the public can surrender any unwanted knives at their local police station without fear of prosecution.

People wishing to hand in knives can do so at police station front counters within normal opening hours until Friday, June 30.

Assistant chief constable Peter Wright said the amnesty has been successful.

"Since the amnesty began, we have had a variety of dangerous knives handed in including samurai swords, hunting knives and flick knives.

"In the first week, there were just over 500 knives handed in, and although there has been no further count at the moment we are hopeful this will have substantially increased.

"In West Mercia, knife-related crimes account for less than one per cent of all crimes recorded. However, we are not complacent. This amnesty will give people the opportunity to hand in unwanted knives such as hunting or fishing knives which, if they got into the wrong hands, could be fatal.

"We remain concerned about the rising number of young men carrying knives, whether this is in the belief that it's some form of self-defence or whether it's as a fashion accessory and this is a cause for concern as it's not necessary or acceptable.

"Knives are not glamorous, they can kill and we're hoping that this amnesty will make West Mercia an even safer place to live and work in.

"We don't want people to think next month that they should have handed their knife in - they need to do it now. Simply wrap the knife safely and bring it to a police station where it can be disposed safely in the special bins provided.

"The majority of weapons handed in will be destroyed, with any of value or particular significance being given to museums.

"Every knife handed in is one more that cannot be used in crime or violence."