POLICE seized a haul of 76 weapons during an early morning raid at a travellers’ site today.

Thirty officers found an assortment of knives, swords and machetes at Woodhill caravan park, in Woodhill Lane, East Challow, near Wantage.

An air-powered firearm was also confiscated and will be inspected to see if it is legal.

During the raid, two men, aged 22 and 17, were arrested in connection with an assault at The Bay Tree pub, in Grove, last Saturday night.

The bulk of the find was made at a mobile home, but two knives and the air rifle were found in a caravan.

Two police teams swooped at about 8am.

One group of officers searched a nearby barn using a firearms warrant while the other team targeted the caravan park.

Among the weapons found was a knife with a swastika on the handle, Samurai swords and double-bladed knives.

Afterwards, police called the RSPCA to inspect 60 horses belonging to the travellers.

As the Oxford Mail went to press the inspections had not been completed.

Police said all the weapons would be destroyed.

Chief Insp Andy Boyd, said: “This is a positive result meaning these weapons are no longer on the street, available to inflict injuries on others.

“Vale of White Horse is one of the safest places to live in the country and we will do all that we can to ensure that it remains that way. We will continue to robustly police and pursue the small minority of offenders who choose to commit crime.”

The raid comes after officers found nine weapons at the same site in January, some of which were later returned.

The site is home to the Down family, who have lived there for 14 years.

James Down, 39, was the owner of the weapons seized yesterday.

He handed them to police to be destroyed and will face no further punishment.

He was allowed to keep two swords and a box set of knives for ornamental purposes.

He said: “We’ve been collecting them for about 15 years and we didn’t know they were against the law.

“They’ve let me keep some for sentimental value and the rest they can have.”

DC Rob Underhill, who was in charge of the investigation said: “We will follow up every bit of intelligence we receive and any line of inquiry to ensure that the Vale remains a safe place to be.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to the assault at the Bay Tree, in which a man was attacked by two men at about 11.15pm.

He was taken to hospital with facial injuries but has since returned home.

Anyone with information should call police on 08458 505505.