A NUMBER of knives have been handed in to an Oxfordshire police station for destruction, police say.

Thames Valley Police said a number of 'weapons' have been handed in to the knife amnesty bin at the Bicester Police Station in Queens Avenue.  

A knife amnesty bin provides the opportunity for members of the public to dispose of knives and bladed articles in a safe and legal way.

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They have been placed in police stations across the Thames Valley region as part of a Operation Sceptre, a national operation targeting knife crime and those who carry knives in phases of activity.

A statement posted on social media by the Cherwell branch of Thames Valley Police said: "This morning Bicester NHPT (Neighbourhood Police Team) have emptied knife amnesty bin to find a number of ‘weapons’ have been handed in for destruction."

The force thanked those who have handed the "weapons" in.

"Our thinking is one knife in the bin may just save a life if not in the wrong hands," it said, adding: "It is important that we stress that not all donations to these bins are ‘weapons’ taken from people off the street.

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"Some people use them to dispose of knives or sharp objects that they no longer need."

As well as an amnesty bin at Bicester Police Station on Queens Avenue, there is also an amnesty bin at Banbury Police Station on Warwick Road.

Police say the bins are being closely monitored and regularly emptied, with the contents carefully disposed of.