A dangerous knife amnesty has been launched - as it emerged that the rate of repeat knife crime offenders in North Yorkshire has increased.

North Yorkshire Police is holding a scheme to allow the surrender of zombie-style knives and machetes.

From September 24, it will be against the law to own such weapons.

Zombie-style knives include weapons with a plain cutting edge, a sharp pointed end, and a blade of over eight inches long - as well as one or more features including a serrated cutting edge over two inches long, more than one hole in the blade, spikes or more than two sharp points in the blade.

The scheme to allow the surrender of such weapons begins at midnight on Monday, August 26, and ends on September 23. Following that date, individuals could be prosecuted for possessing such a knife.

The owners of such weapons have until September 23 to hand them in (Image: PA)

In North Yorkshire, the rate of repeat knife crime offenders increased in the past year, according to new figures.

The Ben Kinsella Trust, which campaigns against knife crime, said the rate of reoffending shows investing in rehabilitation is crucial rather than "simply locking people up".

Figures from the Ministry of Justice show the criminal justice system dealt with 139 knife and offensive weapon offenders in North Yorkshire in the year to March.

Of these, 41 had a previous conviction or caution, meaning 29.5 per cent were committed by repeat offenders.

This was up from 26.3 per cent the year before.

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Patrick Green, chief executive of the Ben Kinsella Trust, said: "The increasing number of repeat offenders with knife crime convictions is alarming."

He called for "crucial" investment in rehabilitation rather than simply locking people up to break the "cycle of reoffending" the figures expose.

The figures also show the overall number of knife and offensive weapon offences dealt with by the justice system in England and Wales fell 3.3 per cent in the past year, from 19,200 in 2022-23 to 18,600 last year.

In North Yorkshire, number of knife and offensive weapon offences dealt with by the justice system dropped from a total of 184 offences to 176.

Mr Green said the fall in offences dealt with by the justice system shows a "concerning anomaly".

He said: "Office of National Statistics figure released last month show that knife crime offences have grown four per cent in the last year, yet Thursday’s figures from the Ministry of Justice show a fall in number offenders being dealt with by the criminal justice system.

"This does raise questions about whether the full force of the law is being correctly applied in knife crime cases.

"It's clear we are moving in the wrong direction. To effectively address knife crime, we must prioritise preventing young people from becoming involved in such violence," he said.

In North Yorkshire, 15.8 per cent of knife and offensive weapon offenders were 10 to 17 years old.

Weapons being surrendered in the police amnesty can be taken to Harrogate, Northallerton, Scarborough, Richmond and Skipton police stations. Once handed over, it might be possible to claim compensation.

Officers have issued a form that needs to be completed before the weapons are handed over.

"The knife or machete must be safe when you're taking it to the police station and while you're in the police station," a spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said.

"Wrap your item in a sealed bag or box. It must stay covered at all times.

"Carry the claim form with you in case you're stopped by the police on the way to the police station."