THAMES Valley Police will no longer post pictures of weapons seized during their 'knife amnesty' campaigns, over concerns that it could scare the public too much.

This week the force has resumed the use of its knife amnesty bins, in a bid to rid the streets of dangerous weapons.

Until Sunday, members of the public can anonymously dispose of knives and bladed articles at certain police stations, without question or fear of arrest.

Police forces across the country are taking part in the week of action, part of Operation Sceptre, to remove knives from harm's way and raise awareness of the dangers.

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After previous knife amnesties, Thames Valley Police has shared photos on its social media pages of the knives disposed of.

However, from now on it will not, following advice from the National Police Chiefs' Council.

A statement from the force said: "[We have] made the decision, following guidance from the NPCC on knife imagery, to stop publicising images of seized knives to help reduce the fear of knives and knife carrying in our local communities."

Knife amnesty bins have been placed at Abingdon, Banbury, Bicester, Kidlington HQ, Oxford and Witney police stations.