POLICE will attempt to crackdown on knife crime by supporting a national campaign after a rise across the region.

In September, West Mercia Police are supporting the national ongoing knife surrender campaign Operation Sceptre, with knife crimes up 18 percent in South Worcestershire in 2016/17.

The campaign will run for four weeks starting on Monday September 18, with a knife surrender bin placed at the police station in Castle Street, Worcester.

There were 111 recorded crimes involving a bladed weapon in the South Worcestershire policing area in 2016/17, compared to 94 offences in 2015/16, 66 percent of these offences were committed in Worcester.

Of the crimes in South Worcestershire, 88 percent were knife crimes whilst 60 percent occurred within a residential premises with 42 percent domestic related and 12 percent drug related.

In addition, the rise follows recent trends, with knife crime increasing by 30 percent for 2015/16 on the total of the year before.

The aims of the operation are to remove dangerous weapons from the street, raise awareness of the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife.

Anyone can use one a surrender bin to anonymously hand over a knife or other bladed item.

This is a surrender campaign as opposed to an amnesty, as there will be no immunity from prosecution should information come to light that one of the surrendered weapons may have been used in the commission of an offence.

The knives surrendered will be delivered to the British Ironwork Centre in Oswestry where they will be used to build a plinth for a 20-foot high guardian angel sculpture in memory of those who have lost their life to knife crime.

Chief inspector Sharon Cannings said: “While the region doesn’t have a big knife problem we’re keen to play our part in this national campaign to tackle knife crime and the damage it causes to communities.

“Knife crime doesn’t just affect the victims it affects the families of victims and offenders and has a devastating impact on the wider community.

“We want people who carry knives to stop and think about the potential consequences for others and themselves.

“For the next four weeks people will have the opportunity to surrender those knives anonymously. The decision to do so might be the most important decision they ever make.”

Police and crime commissioner John Campion added: “Whilst we are fortunate that knife crimes are rare in our communities, just one incident is one too many, and the consequences can be devastating.

"The knife surrender campaign, is just one of many ways in which West Mercia Police is committed to tackling violent crime. I am committed to ensuring they have the resources to keep our communities safe and secure.”

Possession of a knife carries can carry a prison sentence of up to four years.