The knives handed in during the two-week amnesty ranged from large meat cleavers to small kitchen knives and included swords, machetes and axes.

They were disposed of in the red amnesty bins located at police stations in all area commands.

Chief Constable Mike Craik, who launched the campaign two weeks ago, said: "Across the force, 653 knives have been handed in and we're pleased people have taken the opportunity throughout the amnesty to dispose of these knives safely and legally.

"This is 653 fewer knives which can cause harm to our communities or injure someone.

"Carrying knives is both unlawful and dangerous and the idea of the amnesty was to raise awareness of the possible implications of carrying a knife.

"I'd like to thank the people of Northumbria for their support during the amnesty, and reassure them that they do live in a safe area.

"By working together we can keep it that way.

"We've had the amnesty, now we're going for enforcement.

"We are going to move the focus onto offenders and over the next few weeks we will be taking action on those suspected of carrying a knife in public."

The amnesty came to an end at midnight on Wednesday.

Mr Craik launched the Get Tough on Knives campaign on July 24, with the aim of reassuring the public that Northumbria doesn't have the same issue with knife crime as other areas of the country.

Serious violent knife crime in Northumbria is continuing to fall and through January to June fell a further 19 per cent.

However, the force acknowledges the public are concerned about it and the campaign is about responding to those concerns.