Some of the weapons handed in during previous campaigns

The campaign, which begins on Wednesday and continues until 30 June, is part of the National Knife Amnesty.

During this time, people can get rid of knives without fear of being prosecuted for possessing an offensive weapon.

Northants Ch Insp Peter Glover said the message is that carrying knives is never acceptable in any circumstances

Criminal record

There have been 2,092 knife-related incidents in the county in the past four years.

Ch Insp Glover said: "Simply carrying a knife in a public place is a crime. If you are stopped and searched by police, you could be arrested and could end up with a criminal record.

"If you carry a knife you put yourself in danger � not only of using it when you did not intend to, but of having it turned against you."

Special disposal bins have been set up at nine police stations in the county and a mobile police station will also tour villages and other locations.

Police warned anyone disposing of a knife to transport it safely, and take it directly to their nearest bin and not stop off on the way.