A MONTH-LONG operation by Northumbria Police has succeeded in getting dozens of knives off the streets.

Operation dagger, aimed at removing weapons which could be used to commit crimes, centred on Newcastle.

High profile patrols were also carried out by officers in the Arthurs Hill area of the city, aimed at detecting and preventing serious offences.

A range of knives were recovered including penknives, kit-chen knives, ceremonial daggers and a meat cleaver.

Detective Inspector Max Black said that Operation Dagger had been launched in response to several incidents where knives were used to inflict serious injuries. He said that a number of robberies had also been committed where a knife had been produced.