SWORDS, a whip and a table leg are among a haul of unusual 'weapons' seized by police in Renfrewshire over the last year, The Gazette can reveal. Included in the total of 543 weapons confiscated between within the Johnstone and Renfrew divisions between 2010 and 2012 - eight swords, one whip and two table legs were recovered by police.

Other obscure hauls included a snooker cue, a belt buckle, a fork and a pot.

Kitchen knives were found to be the most confiscated weapons throughout Renfrewshire, with a total number of 183 appliances seized within the last year alone.

More than 337 people were also found to by carrying an offensive weapon under the Carrying of Knives Act 1993.

The shocking investigation, carried out exclusively by The Gazette, revealed that a total number of eight axes, two air guns and a firearm were found over a period of two years.

Some of the most deadly weapons seized included nine meat cleavers, a drill and a total of five machete's.

Details also unveiled that a total of 31 hammers, 25 pieces of wood, 21 screwdrivers and 15 belts were confiscated by police between 2010 and 2012.

The findings, which have been released under the Freedom of Information act, highlight the types of weapons confiscated after being deemed harmful to members of the public.

Inspector Angela McKendry, of Renfrewshire police said: "Our commitment to tackling violent crime in Renfrewshire includes identifying the types of weapons that could be harmful to members of the public and preventing these weapons from being used.

"We are starting to work with Trading Standards and local businesses to give them advice and information on selling knives or other items that could potentially be used as weapons.

"This also means that we would work with them to warn them on the dangers of selling these items and offering advice.

"When it comes to the somewhat more obscure weapons, for example a pot or a fork, we normally would have taken these in if we felt that someone was brandishing the weapon in an offensive manner or could be putting someone at risk."