Parks searched for hidden and discarded knives

The action formed part of Project Zao - an operation to take knives off the street and educate people about the dangers and consequences of carrying a blade.

They have searched Queens Park, Chesterfield; Hornscroft Park, Bolsover; Rainbow Park, Shirebrook and Bakestone Moor Park, Whitwell.

Chief Inspector Richard Smith, who is in charge of the project, said: “The action is being taken as part of the work to take knives off the street.

"In some locations we have had intelligence to suggest that people are hiding knives in public places in order to lower the risk of being stopped and found in possession of them. In other locations the action is being taken to remove discarded knives to prevent them being used to harm someone else.

“Unfortunately we have seen in Derbyshire recently that the consequences of carrying a knife can prove fatal and we want to do all we can as part of Project Zao minimise the risk of other people becoming victims of knife crime in the county.”

As part of the scheme knives can be handed in up to Sunday, July 3 in 13 secure bins located across Derbyshire.

Visit www.derbyshire.police.uk/Zao to find out where the bins are.