THIS is a ‘small selection’ of the knives handed in to police in Kidlington during a week-long amnesty.

Thames Valley Police is now counting the number of blades it has taken off the streets after its Operation Sceptre came to an end this weekend.

The force’s Twitter account showed a number of kitchen knives, penknives and daggers collected.

Officers have also been seen out and about searching parks and open spaces for blades using metal detectors and other pieces of equipment.

People had been given the opportunity to surrender any weapons during the amnesty with no questions asked.

Previous initiatives have seen hundreds of knives collected.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said the numbers collected this year was being collated and would be revealed at a later date.

This year’s campaign came amidst fears about the rise of knife crime in Oxford and nationwide.

On Friday the Police and Crime Commissioner announced nearly £1million in funding is being given to youth groups across the Thames Valley to try to address the problem.

Officers have pledged to keep up the momentum on the issue despite the week of action coming to an end.

A machete was found by police in Bury Knowle Park, Headington, on Friday and knives were also found in Blackbird Leys park, Oxpens meadow and Marsh Park, Cowley, last week.