Campaign removes deadly weapons off Cheshire streets

But knife crime in the county has risen 7 percent in the last 12 months.

50 knives were taken off the streets of Cheshire thanks to the recent drive by the county's police force.

The amnesty targeted the four worst areas for knife crime, will people encouraged to hand in blades, and other similar offensive weapons, without fear of prosecution.

The areas singled out for particular attention were Runcorn, Ellesmere Port, Macclesfield and Widnes.

The week long campaign saw some of the items surrendered include samurai swords.

Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane spoke to us directly about Operation Sceptre and the progress the force are making on combating knife crime in our region.

Mr Keane said:

"We start from a very low base of knife crime in Cheshire. I wouldn't want people to become overly concerned.

What I would like to do is assure people that Cheshire Police are taking this issue on directly."

Across the UK, Cheshire is ranked ninth out of forty-two for knife crime in all police forces.