Lethal weapons have been seized by police in Oxfordshire in their battle to stop violent offenders carrying knives.

Deadly Samurai swords and kitchen knives are among the bladed weapons seized from suspected offenders and crime scenes and will be destroyed.

Officers are encouraging anyone who carries a knife to hand it in at their local police station during a national knife amnesty led by the Home Office.

The programme is similar to a firearms amnesty held three years ago, in which 44,000 weapons were handed in.

Knife crime has hit headlines recently after Kiyan Prince, 15, was stabbed to death outside a north London school last week.

Yesterday we revealed a Year Seven pupil at Oxford's Matthew Arnold school was excluded for one day for carrying a blunt edged knife he took from an art room.

We also reported this week on an attack on Polish security guard Jakub Mucha, of Cowley, who was dragged out of his car at Tesco's petrol station, Oxford retail park, and attacked by a gang who stabbed him and beat him.

The 20-year-old, who needed stitches, said: "I don't want people to stab anyone, I don't like aggression."

The amnesty started yesterday and will run until the end of June.

Knives can be ditched in red bins at the following police stations: St Aldate's and Cowley in Oxford, Abingdon, Banbury, Bicester, Chipping Norton, Didcot, Henley, Thame, Wantage, Witney and Woodstock.

Roger Mayne, crime reduction manager for Oxfordshire, said: "We need parents, families, friends and school teachers to support us in persuading people who carry weapons to give them up. The consequences of not doing so could be devastating.

"If you carry a knife you are at serious risk of being injured yourself or being responsible for a tragedy, and that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

"If you are handing in a knife, wrap it up so it is obvious you are not intending to use it."

Chief Supt David McWhirter, Oxfordshire police commander, said: "Some people might start carrying them, then their circumstances change and they want to get rid of the weapon because they know it can get them into a mess.

"The amnesty gives them an opportunity to get rid of it, it's a good idea.

"It is easy to get hold of knives, you can't stop them, but it is very stupid to carry one if you are a young lad going for a night out on the town."

Under the Criminal Justice Act 1988, an offender can be jailed for up to two years for having an article with a blade or point in a public place.

Under the same Act, a person can be jailed for up to four years for having a knife in a school.

Anyone with information about knife crime can contact police on 08458 505505 or 0800 555111.