
Seventy blades have been handed in to police stations during a week-long amnesty by police.
Meat cleavers, flick knives and a German First World War bayonet were among the items handed in.
People were encouraged to hand in blades as part of Operation Sceptre, a twice-yearly campaign to tackle knife crime.
Police carried out 35 stop and searches and five arrests were made – three for possession of a knife/blade in a public place, one for possession of an offensive weapon in a private place and one for possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.
Five businesses also failed a test purchasing operation in the north, south and west of the country by selling blades or knives to children. Twenty-five traders passed.
Officers also visited schools to talk about the dangers of carrying a knife and potential consequences if caught in possession.
Officers also carried out test purchasing operations in the north, south and west of the county. A total of 30 test purchasing visits were made to retailers to check they would not sell knives or other blades to children.
Chief Inspector Steve Hunter, of Cumbria police, said: “I’d like to thank all those people who took the proactive step of visiting their local police station to dispose of a knife or other blade in order to make themselves, their family and their community safer.
“However, while the number and types of knives handed in are what usually makes the headlines, for ourselves as police officers what we are most heartened by is the openness of our local schools in engaging with Operation Sceptre and the positive reaction from the pupils to the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife.
“Speaking to young people at an early age and making them aware of what can result from carrying a knife gives us the best chance of positively impacting behaviour.
“Our message to people is clear – there is no excuse to be carrying a knife on the streets of Cumbria, which is one of the safest counties to live, work and visit. Sceptre is helping us to keep it that way and we will continue to engage with the operation going forward.”