MORE than 500 potentially lethal weapons have been handed in to Avon and Somerset Police since its knife amnesty began just under a month ago.

Among the haul are 380 domestic knives, 86 non-domestic knives - such as sporting knives and those used for work like carpet laying - 48 weapons - such as sharpened screwdrivers, knuckledusters, flick knives and martial arts throwing stars - and 17 "items of interest".

Several items handed in were of interest to the police, including five decorative swords handed in at Taunton, six kukri-style wea-pons at Bath, a letter opener at Keynsham, two small samurai swords, a spear and a sword in Yeovil and an ornamental double-headed axe handed in at Nailsea.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Mortimore said: "We are pleased to see 524 of these dangerous items off the street and hope to see even more of these lethal weapons put out of action by the end of the campaign.

"Carrying a knife is never acceptable. If you carry a knife for self-defence, you run the risk of having it turned on you."

In 2005-06 there were 2,500 incidents in Avon and Somerset where knives were mentioned, up from 2,449 the previous year.

Mr Mortimore said: "This number is too high, and this amnesty can make a significant contribution towards reducing that number and making our streets safer."

The knife amnesty continues until next Friday, June 30, and knives can be handed into any of the 40 collection points across the force area. Anyone wanting to hand in a knife should make sure the blade is sheathed or wrapped in cardboard and tape.

They should take it straight to the police station and not stop anywhere along the way.

By following these guidelines people should not be arrested for possession of an offensive weapon if stopped in the street by police.