A KNIFE amnesty bin has been placed in Andover as part of a national campaign.

Hampshire Constabulary will have the bin at the town's police station until Sunday 23 July, to allow people to dispose of knives and bladed articles.

Similar bins will also be placed in Aldershot and Basingstoke.

The scheme makes up part of Operation Sceptre - a national initiative, started by the Metropolitan Police, which aims to take knives off the streets and educate people about the dangers.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson said: "We are using the bins being to help protect people from harm by taking those weapons off the streets.

"We know people carry knives for many reasons including fear, or because they think it will protect them. "However, in reality carrying a knife puts you at greater risk of being seriously injured or killed, not to mention being arrested for possession of a bladed article.

"This amnesty is your chance to hand unlawful weapons in and walk away before it’s too late."