60,000 KNIVES ARE TAKEN OFF STREETS

Huge boost to saving young lives

- BY DAVE BURKE Political Correspondent

NEARLY 60,000 blades have been surrendered or seized since July last year, in a major boost to tackling the knife crime epidemic.

Campaigners have branded the huge haul a "critical achievement", as ministers insist they are on track to halve the scourge within a decade.

Home Office data last night showed 7,512 knives and weapons had been surrendered since the summer.

This is on top of the 47,795 “zombie” knives and machetes turned in last year.

Border Force has seized 3,334 knives, while 618 blades were recovered through County Lines Programme operations.