Inspector Peter Knights of Hartlepool Police said the four-month sentence sends out a clear message that police and the courts will come down hard on offenders.

Insp Knights said: "This sentence shows that carrying knives in public can have a great impact on people, not least those who carry them.

"This gives a clear message that knife crime will not be tolerated in Hartlepool."

Referring to the courts tough new sentences for knife offences he added: "People are now starting to realise the impact that knife crime can have and must be on notice that if they carry a knife, even if they think it is for safety or self defence, will face the courts and may go to prison."

Hartlepool Police set up a campaign at the turn of the year in an attempt to rid the streets of deadly knives.

The campaign, which ran in conjunction with the Bin The Blades series in the Mail, saw a collection point situated in the main reception area at the police station.

Members of the public were able to anonymously hand in blades of any description during the amnesty, and when the campaign drew to a close in January officers were delighted with the response.

More than 100 knives, ranging from small domestic blades up to samurai swords were recovered from the bin.

Insp Knights said at the time: "We were delighted with the response because to get even a single blade off the streets reduces the risk of a crime being committed."