A SAMURAI sword and nearly 300 other knives have been handed in during Guernsey Police’s knife amnesty – more than a six-fold increase in the number since last week. The 293 weapons were disposed of in less than two weeks following the launch of the appeal by Chris Dean, father of murder victim James.

Police said the number proved that the public had concerns and was trying to do the sensible thing.

It added that it had been focusing on getting the weapons off the streets, while appealing to parents and youngsters.

And Sergeant Clare Bonsall said that she thought the public had listened to the message that had gone out.

‘The majority that have been handed in are kitchen knives,’ she said.

‘I think that people are thinking to themselves, ﾓhow do I get rid of this, in a way that’s safe?ﾔ and they’re taking advantage of the amnesty as a means to do that.’

Crime Prevention Officer PC Bernie English agreed.

‘But amongst those that have been handed in there are some very nasty weapons,’ he said.

‘If people were carrying such weapons in the street, they would be arrested.’

Senior boxing coach at St Martin’s boxing club the Amalgamated Boys Club Graham Guilbert is an amnesty advocate.

‘The situation is getting so out of hand, and there’s really no need for it,’ he said.

‘It really needs to be nipped in the bud. Young people need discipline – and sport is a great way to go about instilling that, whether it be swimming, boxing, football or netball.’

He said that he had seen a remarkable turn around in the confidence of a number of boys who attended the boxing club.

‘Some have come to us as very timid youngsters and in a matter of months have really come out of themselves,’ he said.

‘One 11-year-old, who was very nervous when he first came to us, has won four or five of his bouts a year down the line.

n Knife bins are at the Checkers Xpress Cobo, the Co-ops at St Martin’s and the Bridge and the police station.