THIRTY-four knives were surrendered in Kidderminster as part of an initiative run in the West Mercia policing area.

The initiative was part of the national 'Save a Life, Surrender Your Knife' campaign - which aims to reduce knife crime and the damage caused to families and the wider community.

The initiative ran between July 27, and August 19, and gave anyone carrying a knife the opportunity to surrender it anonymously at one of a number of surrender bins located at stations around the West Mercia policing area.

Overall, more than 300 knives were seized in the Warwickshire and West Mercia policing area.

Superintendent Daryn Elton said: "We're pleased to see that so many people have taken the opportunity to surrender their knife and make the streets safer for everyone.

"Every one of the knives surrendered represents one less opportunity for another life to be lost or ruined to knife crime.

"While this particular initiative has finished we will continue to remind people of the dangers of carrying knife and take action against those who choose to do so."

The knives have now been delivered to the British Ironwork Centre, in Oswestry, where they will be used to create a 26 foot knife angel, to spread awareness of the impact of knife crime.

Clive Knowles, chairman of the British Ironwork Centre said: "West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police have been a huge support since the very beginning of our campaign.

"The latest delivery of over 300 knives gets us that bit closer to reaching 100,000 knives off the streets of the UK."

As well as the 34 knives surrendered in Kidderminster, two pairs of pliers were also given up.

If you have any information about someone carrying a knife or committing a knife crime please call 101 or in an emergency call 999.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org

If you have any information about someone carrying a knife or committing a knife crime please call 101 or in an emergency call 999. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org