Thousands of knives, machetes and axes have been handed over to police in an amnesty on weapons prompted by fears of a knife-crime epidemic.

Junior Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said yesterday it was encouraging that 17,715 weapons had been surrendered in the first week of the amnesty, but he urged that more be given up.

"If you carry a knife out of self-defence, you run the risk of having it turned on you," he said during a visit to Long Eaton in Derbyshire to view surrendered weapons.

"Carrying a knife is illegal and will not be tolerated - indeed, it could land you four years in prison," he added.

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