A LETHAL 3ft samurai sword has been handed in to police as part of the ongoing amnesty on deadly weapons.
Hartlepool Police launched a knives amnesty last Friday and within days they were given the sword which has sharpened edges.
Police say they are delighted to see such a dangerous weapon handed in and warned people who buy swords like this to decorate their homes that they can have deadly consequences in the wrong hands.
Inspector Peter Knights, of Hartlepool Police, said: "I am delighted to see a weapon of this nature has been surrendered.
"All too often we see items such as this used and abused by people which leads invariably to serious injury or death.
"The message remains: Surrender the weapons to Hartlepool Police."
The Mail is backing the campaign that is aimed at getting deadly weapons off the streets and preventing youngsters from getting involved in knife culture.
As well as the sword, a number of knives have been handed in and police are urging people to hand in any more knives at Hartlepool Police Station.
Insp Knights added: "Some kitchen knives have been handed in and another ornamental knife that looks like it is missing a handle, but it could still cause some damage.
"We are hoping that people will still come in and dump their weapons in the bin."
People can drop knives into a sealed bin at Hartlepool Police Station when officers will safely dispose of them.
Other weapons, such as coshes and knuckle dusters, can also be surrendered during the amnesty, which runs until Wednesday, January 2.
Hartlepool Police Station is open 24 hours a day and the bin is located in the public inquiry office.