Hayley MaceMore than 100 knives have been taken off the streets of Lowestoft during a summer weapons amnesty.The knives were among 227 items handed in anonymously over the past eight weeks as part of the weapons amnesty which was organised by Lowestoft central safer neighbourhood team (SNT).Hayley Mace

More than 100 knives have been taken off the streets of Lowestoft during a summer weapons amnesty.

The knives were among 227 items handed in anonymously over the past eight weeks as part of the weapons amnesty which was organised by Lowestoft central safer neighbourhood team (SNT).

Items handed in during the amnesty, which finished on Wednesday, included 118 knives, shotguns, and dozens of more unusual items including a cutlass, meat cleavers, pepper spray, a bayonet and novelty lighters which closely resemble handguns.

The haul also included cutlery, a revolver, a box of shotgun cartridges, three rifles, five hunting knives, a BB gun and a handgun.

Sgt Steve Wright, from Lowestoft Central SNT, said; 'We are delighted that so many people have taken the opportunity to get rid of unwanted items and that more than 200 weapons have been taken out of circulation.

I'm especially pleased that this has included potentially dangerous items such as large knives and guns.'

He added: 'The amnesty is all about giving residents the chance to get rid of items that may cause harm if they fell into the wrong hands and the number of weapons handed in shows this is a worthwhile exercise.'

During the eight-week amnesty, the bin was placed in the Belvedere Road car park, the Nicholas Everitt Park car park in Oulton Broad, Whitton Green and the Triangle area of Lowestoft High Street.

The amnesty was supported by Waveney Community Safety Partnership, Waveney District Council and Waveney Norse.