A huge haul of dangerous weapons, including machetes and firearms, have been dropped into knife bins across the West Midlands this year.

More than 180 terrifying weapons are now off the county's streets after residents were urged to bin the items. The mass collection of weapons have been surrendered since April as part of a county-wide drive to reduce knife crime across the region.

Frightening weapons seized from the bins included kitchen knives and large blades, along with butterfly knives lock knives. Residents also dropped in two handguns and two BB guns, as well as machete-type blades, screwdrivers, a wooden cosh, scissors, and a knuckle duster.

The contents of the bins were revealed on Thursday outside the New Testament Church of God Brookfield in Hockley, where one of the Birmingham knife bins are located.

At least 2,500 weapons have also been seized by officers during stop-searches and park sweeps over the past three months.

It comes during West Midlands Police's week-long campaign to raise awareness of the devastating effects of knife crime and educating groups on the dangers of carrying blades.

The knife bins, which are supported by the force and West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson, have been set up by organisation Word 4 Weapons.

Black Country knife bins can be found at the corner of High Street and New Street in West Bromwich town centre and outside Heath Town's New Testament Church of God in Wednesfield Road.

Weapons can also be dropped in bins at Whitmore Reans' Tabernacle Baptist Church, in Dunstall Road, and Morrisons Bilston, on the Black Country Route.