Police in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire are giving people the chance to hand in illegal knives and bladed weapons without facing prosecution.

Both forces have launched knife amnesties as part of Op Sceptre - a national knife crime prevention initiative beginning this week - and have placed special bins across their respective counties.

Gloucestershire residents have a week to take advantage of the amnesty and can head to Barton Street, Hesters Way, Coleford or Stroud police station.

Those who come forward will remain anonymous and police will not take any details.

There are six locations in Wiltshire, where the amnesty lasts a fortnight: Swindon's Gablecross Police Station, Marlborough Police Station, Melksham Police Station, Chippenham's Monkton Park, Trowbridge Police Station and the Temporary Police Station at the rear of Five Rivers Leisure Centre in Salisbury.

Police recommend knives are wrapped up, preferably in newspaper or cardboard.

Wiltshire’s Assistant Chief Constable Gavin Williams said: “We want to raise the awareness of the dangers of carrying a knife or owning an illegal weapon.

“As a county Wiltshire cannot be compared to what is happening in cities like London or Manchester but we cannot be complacent; we must take action to educate the public and do what we can to remove knives from our streets.

“Most people in Wiltshire or even in the country don’t carry a knife; it should not be considered the ‘norm’. A very small minority choose to leave the house with a knife or blade, but the reality is they themselves are more likely to get injured.

“We hope this fortnight will give people a chance to safely dispose of knives they no longer use, and think about the knives or weapons they may have in the house.

“They may not know a knife is illegal or haven’t considered the risk of an ornamental knife or weapon they own.

“I would also like to appeal to parents across the county to talk to their children. We know that some young people carry knives for what they consider to be protection, but it is placing them and those around them in danger.”