A local MP is calling for an amnesty, after new statistics revealed that knife crime in Cumbria has risen by 11% in the last year.
In the year ending March 2016, there were 152 incidents of knife crime -that's an increase of 15 on the year before.
South Lakes MP Tim Farron says an amnesty is needed, to reduce the threat to local communities.
Mr Farron said: “Knife crime is threatening our communities, and I am extremely concerned that it is on the rise here in Cumbria.
“We need an amnesty to help get these dangerous weapons off our streets. These have been shown to be effective in the past.
“In the long-run, this shows why we must protect our police numbers from government cuts. Knife crime will make local residents, particularly the elderly, afraid to go out on the streets and we need bobbies on the beat to reassure them and tackle this problem."