SIR - Reading of the 26 bladed weapons handed into Worcester Police station I am minded to suggest that the national knife amnesty is little more than a gimmick which will make almost no difference to the epidemic of knife carrying and related incidents. Although better than nothing, a total of 26 knives surrendered is hardly impressive, especially when you consider some of the items are not the type that would not generally be carried, such as the swords.

Most people who like to carry a knife will not walk into a police station and hand them in, which undermines the whole point. What is needed is more checks like those conducted by the British Transport Police, and very severe penalties.

ANDREW BROWN,

Worcester