A NEW knife surrender bin has been installed at Nailsea Police Station.

This comes shortly before the UK Government introduces new laws to ban dangerous weapons such as 'zombie knives' and machetes.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: "A new knife surrender bin has been installed at Nailsea Police Station just inside the enquiry office.

"You can pop along and drop any bladed articles straight into the bin.

"You do not have to speak to anyone, fill in any paperwork and you will not be asked where the articles came from."

The government has this week urged people in possession of zombie-style knives and machetes to hand them in to police stations ahead of a ban on the dangerous weapons.

The government said there will not be any repercussions for those surrendering the knives safely, while policing minister Dame Diana Johnson urged the public to "do the right thing".

From September 24, zombie-style knives and machetes will be added to a prohibited list of dangerous items – which also includes butterfly knives, samurai swords and push daggers.

Ms Johnson explained: "There is no legitimate need for a weapon of this kind to be in our homes or on our streets.

"That is why we will continue to make sure the tightest restrictions are in place to limit the availability of these lethal weapons.

"Implementing a ban on zombie-style knives is just the first step in our ambitious, dedicated plan to halve knife crime within a decade, and will closely be followed by making ninja swords illegal.

"It is absolutely crucial that members of the public come forward and safely hand in these weapons.

"We are offering people the chance to do the right thing – to help make our streets safer, prevent further loss of life and save so many futures."

People with those weapons are encouraged to contact their police station first for advice on how to package them up and bring them into the station.

For more information about the new knife surrender bin in Nailsea, such as opening hours, visit www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact/police-stations/nailsea-police-station.