GWENT police have begun a knife amnesty which will run until Tuesday, September 25th.

The action will run alongside Operation Sceptre, a national campaign that aims to educate people about the dangers associated with using and carrying knives.

The force will be encouraging the public to deposit knives anonymously at secure bins throughout Gwent including Abergavenny police station.

The public are asked to ensure the blade is wrapped before depositing it by using cardboard, bubble wrap or something similar.

As part of the campaign, school liaison officers will be educating youngsters on the repercussions of carrying weapons.

Officers will also be increasing the use of stop and search powers by actively stopping and targeting those acting suspiciously on the streets.

Superintendent Glyn Fernquest said, ‘Crimes involving knives are rare in Gwent but we are taking positive active to try and prevent offences by removing them before any harm is caused.

‘This amnesty is an opportunity to cleanse our streets of these weapons. If you know a friend or family member who carries a knife or similar, urge them to surrender it as part of the amnesty. Every knife handed in is one less that can potentially be used on the streets of Gwent.’