HUNDREDS of weapons were handed in to police in Hereford during a month-long knife amnesty.
The knife amnesty took place during the visit of the Knife Angel, which was created in Oswestry.
It saw some 250 weapons deposited in an amnesty box placed in front of the statue outside Hereford Cathedral.
The Knife Angel Hereford team have revealed that more than 100,000 people visited the statue during its 28-day visit to the city, while 700 children took part in workshops designed to raise awareness of the dangers of violent crime.
A total of £9,200 was also raised through donations from visitors, which will be used to fund further 'Against Violence and Aggression' educational resources and workshops for Herefordshire schools and youth organisations.
The end of the Knife Angel's visit this week coincides with the passing of a new law under which owners of some weapons, including zombie knives and knuckledusters, could face a jail sentence if found with them.
It was already illegal to possess a knife or offensive weapon in public, but the Offensive Weapons Act – which became law on Wednesday – makes it unlawful to possess certain rapid firing rifles, specific types of knives and other offensive weapons in private.
The list includes zombie knives, cyclone knives, knuckledusters, death star knives, flick knives, gravity knives, batons, disguised knives, push daggers and other offensive weapons.
Anyone unlawfully possessing a firearm covered by the ban will face up to 10 years in prison, and anyone who owns another weapon covered could face up to six months behind bars and a fine.
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