A trend in kids wearing ski masks and carrying butterfly knives has been identified in Lancashire. 

Police in South Ribble have responded to a number of incidents involving youths using the weapons in a threatening manner.

Officers say the behaviour has caused a great deal of panic in the community as it has not been made obvious that the knives were actually blunt.

The police are currently delivering a 'choose life not the knife' campaign to school children in the area and want to take such knives off the streets in conjunction with the campaign.

Posting on social media, a spokesperson for the police said: "If your child has one of these please surrender it in one of the local knife surrender bins at Kingsfold Community Centre or Leyland Police Station.

"We ask that parents check that children are not using these is public areas.

"We will be using knife wands locally to search for knives or similar offensive weapons.

"Anyone using one of these in a threatening manner will be dealt with and it could lead to a criminal record.

"The aim of this post is to educate parents and youths about this and prevent crime.

"We want to take as many knives and offensive weapons off our streets as possible."

If anyone has questions or would like to speak to an officer they can email 273@lancashire.police.uk