Dozens of weapons handed in to police after teenager being stabbed to death in Shrewsbury

Some 250 knives were handed in around West Mercia, including 36 in the county town and a further 43 in Telford.

The campaign ran from July 27 to August 19, a period surrounding the murder of Michael Warham in Meole Brace. The 16-year-old, from Liverpool, was attacked and found in Wayford Drive shortly before 10pm on August 1.

He had suffered a stab wound to the chest and died at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on August 4. This week, 19-year-old Declan Graves, also from Liverpool, is expected to appear in Stafford Crown Court to make a plea having been charged with the murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Moxley said it was positive news to see the number handed in.

He said: "I think it does make people consider having a knife, and think twice about the implications and repercussions of knife crime.

"We tend to do them every two years. It is a national campaign rather than a local one, and that is because there isn't a knife crime problem or epidemic in Shropshire – or the whole of West Mercia.

"The different bins were all in police stations and clearly had these been out and about, it probably would have meant more being handed in."

He added: "Some were particularly nasty instruments, designed purely for inflicting injury."

Superintendent Daryn Elton said: "We're pleased to see that so many people have taken the opportunity to surrender their knife and make the streets safer for everyone. Every one of the 250 knives surrendered represents one less opportunity for another life to be lost or ruined to knife crime.

"All the knives will now be delivered to the British Ironwork Centre near Oswestry where they will be used in the creation of a 26ft knife angel to spread awareness of the UK's knife crime issue. While this particular initiative has finished we will continue to remind people of the dangers of carrying a knife and take action against those who choose to do so."

If you have any information call 101 or in an emergency call 999. Or information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org