Hollie's sister says knife amnesty will have saved lives

The sister of murdered hairdresser Holly Gazzard says she's convinced lives will have been saved after hundreds of knives were handed in to police as part of a knife amnesty.

Holly was stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend at a hair salon in Gloucester two years ago.

More than 300 knives have been handed in to police during a month-long amnesty in Gloucestershire.

They range from household knives and swords to bayonets and and deadly blades intended to harm.

Inspector Steve Wood from Gloucestershire Police said: "We've had a number of flick knives handed in. We are always concerned about these knives as they can cause so much damage."

But police say having so many knives handed in means one less victim.

"We're really pleased about the number of knives handed in," said Inspector Steve Wood.

"To have over 300 knives handed in is a fantastic result.

Bernadette Buchanan from Increase The Peace said:

"Every knife is a potential murder weapon. If you have it in your car, your home or on your wall you can come into a situation where things get out of hand and you could use it. You could end up in prison or your weapon could be used against you."

The knives are currently being held by police in Cheltenham. They will later be sent to the British Ironworks Centre in Shropshire to be used for a sculpture, which will be unveiled in Trafalgar Square next year.