HUNDREDS of knives have been emptied from the Black Country's weapon surrender bins.

A total of 344 blades were placed in the six bins, located in Dudley, Oldbury and Wolverhampton and a further 106 were recovered from bins across Birmingham.

The bins, which are maintained by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson, have been rolled out across the West Midlands as part of ongoing work to tackle violent crime and offer people a place to dispose of weapons safely.

Mr Jamieson said: “In the Black Country, we’ve had more than 340 knives handed in - that’s amazing. I’m delighted so many have been handed in and I think it shows that there are a lot of very good people out there supporting the police to do something about knife crime.

"Every knife posted into a surrender bin is potentially a life saved.

“Knives can ruin the lives of not just individuals but their families and friends as well. If you have a knife or any weapon, or know somebody who does, I strongly recommend that you dispose of it in one of these bins.”

The PCC is expanding the programme which will see 20 surrender bins in the region by April 2019 and he revealed the force is focusing on educating young people about the dangers of knife crime.

He added: “The people most likely to be involved in this violence is young men. The people most likely to be stabbed are young men. They are both the perpetrators and the victims. That’s why we are trying to engage with these people.”

Mr Jamieson continued: “Not everyone who picks up a knife is evil. Some people, stupidly, believe it is going to protect them when actually, there’s a good chance it will be snatched from them and used against them.

"We have to be careful that we don’t criminalise every young person who makes a mistake. However the law does need to come down on regular carriers of knives, or people who threaten to use them.”

West Midlands Police knife crime lead, Superintendent Ian Parnell, added: “The consequences of carrying knives can be catastrophic. We’ve seen people suffer very serious injuries as well as the impact it has on families and communities.

“If you carry or use a knife you are likely to be arrested and prosecuted and, if found guilty, likely to face a substantial prison sentence."

The weapons which have been recovered from the bins will now be destroyed.