POLICE figures reveal that knife crime in Worcester has spiked by almost 30 percent in the last year.

There were 45 knife offences in Worcester between 2015 and 2016, a 28.6 percent increase from the year before.

Whereas in 2014 and 2015 a total of 35 offences involving knives occurred.

The figures are part of the ‘save a life, surrender your knife’ police campaign, which hopes to rid the streets of knives.

The national campaign runs from July 27 to August 19 and allows people to anonymously surrender their knives at bins.

Superintendent Daryn Elton said: “Whilst our campaign is seeking to target people who may carry knives with them in public places, many incidents, including verbal threats, take place within a domestic setting.

“Therefore this knife surrender is one of a range of measures we are focused on to reduce crimes reported as involving a knife.”

Supt Daryn Elton attributed the increase to more rigorous reporting practices as a result of Home Office requirements.

Knife crime in the county rose by 50 percent last year, outpacing the increase in Worcester.

Anonymous surrender bins are available at Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester police stations.

The released figures cover knives, daggers, bottles/glass, razors and other sharp instruments, and the use of knives in offences such as attempted murder, rape, sexual assault and robbery.