POLICE have launched a major crackdown after a recent rise in knife crime in Southampton.

A knife amnesty has been launched in the city with officers placing amnesty bins in two city police stations

Owners of knives and blades will be able to hand them into Southampton Central police station and Portswood police station without fear of prosecution, until Friday, May 12.

The initiative, part of Operation Sceptre, comes after an increase in incidents involving knives across the city.

This include the high-profile killing of Michael Freshwater in Portswood last April.

The 49-year-old confronted three drug dealers with a sawn-off shotgun when he was stabbed in the back.

And another attack last month left a young woman lying in a pool of blood.

A witness in Kent Street on March 2 said she and three others were approached by a man who walked towards them and started shouting and swearing.

The witness added the two men she was with tried to diffuse the situation but the angry man ran into a house and came back out waving a kitchen knife.

In the ensuing confrontation her 23-year-old friend’s wrist was slashed. A man was later arrested.

A spokesperson for Hampshire police said: “We have recently seen an increase in knife crime in the city and we are taking positive action to reduce these incidents and make your communities safer.

“Our response against those carrying knives in the city will be robust, we will target those believed to be involved in drug-related knife crime, educate young people about the dangers of carrying knives, and encourage people to hand over any weapons they may have without fear of repercussion.

“Tackling violent crime is a priority and we can help protect people from harm by taking these 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.”

Southampton Central police station, on Southern Road, is open from 8am to 8pm and Portswood police station, on St Denys Road, is open Tuesday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 5pm.

Look for the bin marked Operation Sceptre.

As reported, Operation Sceptre was set up in an attempt the squash the rise of knife crime across the city.

Last year a knife amnesty also took place and amongst the weapons handed in were Wolverine-style claw, axes, kitchen blades and a ninja throwing star.

And recently an investigation by Sceptre resulted in several Southampton shopkeepers receiving cautions after it was discovered the retailers were selling weapons to children.