THE number of knives deposited in amnesty bins doubled over the weekend. On Friday, police revealed that 16, including a commando knife, a butterfly knife and various kitchen blades, had been deposited just 24 hours after murder victim James Dean’s father Chris had appealed to the public to hand in weapons.

Now the police have a collection of 32 blades, which includes older weapons and domestic knives.

Crime prevention officer PC Bernie English said the public response continued to be a positive one.

‘It seems to be going very well,’ he said. ‘As always there’s going to be a bit of a rush at the beginning, but we are extremely pleased with the response so far.’

He said some dangerous ceremonial pieces and items of memorabilia had begun to surface as a result of the campaign.

‘There have been some pieces that would be best safely disposed of, which is something we can do.

‘There are probably weapons in attics and sheds that have remained there since the Second World War which people have either forgotten about or don’t know what to do with.

‘This amnesty is the perfect opportunity to get rid of these pieces in a safe and reliable manner,’ said PC English.

Amnesty bins are located

at St Martin’s and the Bridge Co-ops, Checkers at Cobo and the police station.

‘The most weapons have been handed in at St Martin’s Co-op, where the amnesty was launched last week,’ said PC English.

He said that for safety, items to be deposited should be wrapped in either cardboard or bubble wrap.

‘It’s the best way for people to protect themselves and for the officer who is collecting the knives to protect him or herself.

‘Covering the blade also shows that the person in possession of the offensive weapon has the desire to hand it in,’ he added.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Dowding, who led the investigation into the knife murder of James Dean in September, said he did not want the public to be alarmed at the number of weapons being handed in.

‘We are not suggesting that these knives are being carried on the streets, but they are in existence and we are encouraging people to hand them in,’ he said.

At the end of the amnesty, which runs until 5 September, the knives will be destroyed.