Nearly 2,000 weapons have been dropped off in Oxfordshire, and more than 1,000 knives in Berkshire, police said.

Of 4,326 dangerous objects collected across Thames Valley, 1,938 came from Oxfordshire and 1,443 from Berkshire.

The campaign - which ended last Friday - allowed people to dispose of weapons without fear of prosecution.

'Major crackdown'

Chief Superintendent Richard Bennett said: "The knife amnesty has succeeded in getting a significant number of knives off the streets.

"We have had a wide range of weapons handed in from ornamental swords, machetes and spears to a large number of flick knives, which can be just as lethal."

Assistant Chief Constable Nick Gargan, said: "The knife amnesty may be over, but Thames Valley Police is planning a major campaign to crack down on crimes involving knives and challenge people who carry knives.

"Operation Blunt will be part of the Safer Streets campaign and will begin in the next couple of months.

"We will be working with our partners to highlight the dangers of carrying weapons, to encourage young people not to do so.

"Those who do carry weapons face arrest, prosecution and long term damage to their prospects."