Police fear there could still be lethal knives on the streets of Basildon after a one-month amnesty to retract the weapons proved unsuccessful.

Pitsea police believed the knives, which are disguised as lighters, were being used in the area after a man who was selling them was arrested.

They set up a month-long amnesty, which ended yesterday, in a bid to encourage anyone who had one of the weapons to bring it forward and avoid being prosecuted.

However their efforts to keep the public safe were rejected when not one single person came forward to let them destroy the weapons.

Sgt Martin Pasmore from Pitsea police said: "It was not a wonderful response. I am disappointed to find out not one was handed in and I am surprised.

"We do not know exactly how many may have been sold but we do know there are some about."

The knives range in size and can also be used as a lighter. Although the blade is very sharp, the length of it does not deem the knives illegal. However, because it is classed as a flick knife it is therefore an offensive weapon.

Sgt Pasmore added: "Although the official amnesty has come to an end we would still not take any action if someone brought any in to us."

A 31-year-old market trader from Maldon was charged and sentenced in relation to the batch of knives on February 14. He was given two years conditional discharge for supplying offensive weapons by Basildon magistrates.

Published Tuesday, March 12, 2002