TEENAGERS have been warned they will be prosecuted if they are caught carrying knives ‘for protection’.

The message comes on the day police have launched a two-week knife amnesty allowing residents the chance to hand in weapons without the fear of prosecution.

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And police have also warned youngsters they put themselves at more risk by carrying a knife as they are statistically more likely to be attacked or killed.

A similar amnesty two years ago saw 145 knives taken off the streets of East Lancashire – 800 across the county as a whole – and Chief Inspector Mark Baines, who is heading up the campaign, said he was hoping for similar success.

Chf Insp Baines said: “Whilst we do not have a massive problem with knife crime across the county and the number of crimes has reduced by a quarter since 2010, the consequences of carrying a knife in public are potentially devastating.

“In 2014, more than 800 knives were handed in during our surrender and I hope that our communities will again help us to remove such items, and help to keep everyone safe.

“If anyone is in possession of a knife and is unsure what to do about it, I would urge them to take this opportunity to dispose of it anonymously and safely.

“In particular, I want to appeal to youngsters who may be tempted to carry a knife because they believe it offers them protection – simply don’t. Not only is being in possession of a knife in a public place a criminal offence, young people are also more likely to be stabbed and seriously injured with their own weapon.”

“Please use the next couple of weeks to hand over your weapons without fear of prosecution, and don’t run the risk of ending up with a criminal record, a life-changing or even worse a potentially fatal injury.”

Chief Insp Baines said across the county recorded crimes involving knives reduced from 1,061 in 2010/11 to 781 crimes in 2015/16, whilst possession offences involving knives had dropped from 412 to 213 in the same period. He also said violence against the person crimes involving knives has dropped from 291 crimes to 261 between 2010 and 2016.

Residents are asked to wrap any knives in newspaper or cardboard and place them in special bins at Greenbank Police Station in Blackburn, Burnley Police Station, Colne Police Station or Chorley Police Station.

Chf Ins Baines warned anyone who is caught carrying a knife and is not on their way to hand it in would have the full weight of the law brought down on them.

He added: “Lancashire Constabulary has a zero tolerance policy toward possession of knives in public, and I want to reassure residents that will continue during the surrender.

“If anyone is found in possession of a knife during the surrender – and is clearly not en-route to a police station to hand it over – they will be dealt with appropriately.”

The amnesty runs from 8am today and will last for 14 days.

Teenagers are urged to visit www.trusted2know.co.uk to find out more about knife crime.