A SAMURAI sword, machetes, flick knives and a Bowie knife have been handed in to police in Swindon since the beginning of a knife amnesty.

More than 50 blades have given to officers at the Gablecross station and the town centre point since May 24.

Police say that they are glad people are heeding the message.

And they say that every knife that is handed in could help cut crime and violence, or even save a life.

Across Swindon 51 knives have been handed in.

At the Gablecross police station 28 domestic knives have been given in.

A further 15 blades classed as "non-domestic" have also been given up These include two machetes and a sheath knife.

There have also been two flick knives, a samurai sword, another sword and a Bowie knife surrendered, All these have been categorised as weapons.

Meanwhile, at the town centre police point, in Linden Street, three blades classed as weapons have been given up two daggers and a throwing knife.

Swindon police spokeswoman Alvina Kumar said: "We would like to thank everyone who has taken positive action by handing in a knife.

"Each knife handed in is one more that cannot be potentially used in crime or violence.

"We want to encourage the members of the public to carry on supporting the amnesty which continues until the end of the month."

On average police in Swindon have seized one blade a week since January.

These have included an 8ins kitchen knife recovered from a 14-year-old boy who had taken it into school.

Although Swindon has a relatively low level of stabbings, recent incidents have resulted in a 19-year-old stabbed in the buttocks in a punishment attack in Cambria Bridge Road, and an unemployed man being mugged for his benefit money in Manchester Road by two knife-wielding thugs.

Wiltshire Police's amnesty has been backed by the daughter of a former Swindon police officer who was stabbed to death.

Former detective Milroy Clarke and his wife Joan were killed in December 2004 at their home in Melksham.

And earlier this year their knife-fanatic son Michael was sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of their murders.

Milroy's daughter Sarah Leyfield, of Wootton Bassett, said: "I would appeal to every young person thinking of carrying or using a knife, and also to the families and friends of these young people.

"I have lost my father and stepmother and I don't want anyone else to suffer in the same way."

Carrying a knife or weapon for protection is illegal.

And anyone who is found carrying an offensive weapon in a public place can then face up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £5,000 .

Knifecrime

THOUSANDS of knives have been surrendered around the country during the first week of the amnesty.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police said that 820 knives had already been handed in.

More than half were domestic knives but the haul included six swords, two homemade axes and a crossbow.

Northumbria Police said that a total of 617 knives and other weapons had been given into police stations across the force's area.

Among the items were 299 domestic knives, 162 non-domestic knives, 118 weapons and 38 items including cut-throat razors and samurai swords.

In Lincolnshire, nearly 200 blades have been handed in.

In Sussex, police said that 757 knives had been dropped in sealed red bins at 31 police stations across the county.

Nottinghamshire Police also hailed their knife amnesty a success, in spite of the fact a 26-year-old man is fighting for his life in hospital after being stabbed in the city.

The force released figures that show more than 400 knives were handed in during the first seven days of the five-week amnesty.

Staffordshire Police has received 337 weapons, including flick knives and hunting knives, as well as a number of bayonets and a ceremonial sword.

And more than 400 knives have been handed in to Kent Police.