MORE than 100 knives, axes and machetes were surrendered and recovered in a force-wide blitz on knife-crime.

Gwent Police also made 12 arrests as part of the week-long Operation Sceptre last month.

A force spokesman said: “As part of Operation Sceptre, we’ve seen 104 knives taken off our streets, 191 people acting suspiciously stopped and searched and 12 arrests made.”

Knives were surrendered in amnesty bins at police stations, while other bladed weapons were seized in proactive arrests during the week-long enforcement.

Superintendent Glyn Fernquest, who led the operation, said: “We’ve had some fantastic results. This week of action may have finished, however our work has only just started.

“We will continue with activity and enforcement, as well as engagement and education to ensure we have a fully comprehensive approach to tackle this criminality. The results we have seen across Gwent have been very encouraging along with the support from our communities.

“If you carry a knife, whether for so-called ‘self-defence’ or for ‘status’ please be assured we will stop you, we will search you and we will seize the weapon and deal with you proportionately through the criminal justice system.”

As part of the operation, police cadets visited 23 shops to try and buy knives under the legal age of 18.

Six failed and sold knives to the underage volunteers and have since been advised of extra requirements for training at the point of sale, as selling to under 18s can result in up to six months in prison and a fine. Amnesty bins are still in place at Gwent police stations.

Anyone with information about knife crime should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.