Over 600 knives have been handed over in a second Northern Ireland amnesty, police disclosed today.
More were left in special disposals bins in north Down and Ballymena than anywhere else, according to Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland.
The handing over of 602 blades over a three-week period brings to 1,488 the number of lethal weapons taken off the streets since the start of the summer.
ACC McCausland said: "It is particularly pleasing that people have responded to the knife amnesty during the run-up to Christmas".
He added, "We welcome the Government's announcement to change legislation to raise the age for purchasing a knife from 16 to 18 years and plans to amend the current law on minimum sentences to five years for adults and three years for 16-18 year-olds. We hope these legislative changes will contribute to making our communities safer".
Police would continue to visit shops and market stalls across Northern Ireland to advise and if appropriate, prosecute retailers found to be breaking the law.
And he also warned his officers would continue to use metal detectors to maintain a robust policy against individuals who carry offensive weapons.
Special disposal bins will remain permanently on site at the civic amenity centres across Northern Ireland.
The number of knives handed were: Antrim, 35, Ards, 8, Armagh 11, Ballymena 74, Ballymoney 11, Banbridge, 11, Belfast 48, Carrickfergus 41, Castlereagh 12, Coleraine 14, Cookstown 1, Craigavon 29, Derry 41, Down 15, Dungannon and south Tyrone 10, Fermanagh 8, Larne 45, Limavady 19, Lisburn 6, Magherafelt 7, Moyle 2, Newry and Mourne 2, Newtownabbey 20, North Down 64, Omagh 30, Strabane 32, and Harbour Police 6.