POLICE in Redditch are supporting a hard-hitting knife surrender campaign, starting today.

The campaign, which will run for four weeks starting September 18, hopes to remove dangerous weapons from the street and raise awareness of the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife.

A knife surrender bin will be located at Redditch Police Station.

Anyone can use the bins to anonymously surrender a knife or other bladed item.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “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.”

A spokesman added: "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.