The mother of a 20-year-old man who was stabbed to death in High Wycombe has joined calls for a gun and knife amnesty in the town.

After a series of recent weapon-related incidents in the district, Moya Griffiths – whose son Jourdan was murdered six years ago – says more can be done to stop violent crime.

In recent months, there have been a number of alleged stabbing incidents and an alleged murder in High Wycombe town centre.

An amnesty would give residents the opportunity to hand in any weapons to police without facing any action and was first mooted by the East Wycombe Independents this week.

Ms Griffiths, who is also a member of Anti-Knife UK, said: “Nationally you just have to look at the figures, and it is of national importance not just locally.

“It’s been proven now through the Met Police that people are actually cooperating far and far more.

“Knife crime causes total devastation to the families, not just the victims that are lost – it changes lives.

“One second knifing somebody and that is what occurs, the after events.”

Jourdan Griffiths died from a single stab wound in a High Wycombe squat on June 29, 2009.

Three men were jailed in connection with the offence as ‘secondary parties’ to the murder.

In December last year, 16 guns were handed in at Wycombe Police station during a firearm amnesty.

Talks of an amnesty were first mentioned by EWI leader, councillor Matt Knight, at a full Wycombe District Council meeting on Monday.

Speaking to the Bucks Free Press, he said: “There have been a few incidents locally in recent times and that surely must put it in people’s minds.

“An amnesty is putting the decision in the hands of the people who have the weapons

“And, it’s not just about Wycombe, knives and weapons travel.”

Councillor Julia Wassell, also of the independent group, added: “My belief is that young people might be carrying knives, perhaps to defend themselves, or people might acquire guns and keep them for a long time with no intention of using them.

“It’s better that they have an amnesty so they don’t feel they will be prosecuted for carrying a dangerous weapon.”

However, WDC leader Katrina Wood said that an amnesty is not necessarily the answer.

She said: “Wycombe is a safe place to live, work, socialise and visit and crime levels are very low for such a large area.

“While violent crime has increased a little locally, this follows a significant decrease in crime over recent years.

“Most violent crime does not involve knives and gun crime is very, very low. In these circumstances, I think a knife and gun amnesty would seem to offer very little benefit and may actually make people feel that the district is less safe than it is.”

Supt Ed McLean, area commander for High Wycombe, said: "Tackling violence and knife crime is a priority for Thames Valley Police and my officers continue to work with schools and the community to ensure that people are aware of the dangers of carrying and using knives.

"We conduct disruptive operations based on intelligence, and robustly investigate offences when they do occur.

"Knife crime is, however, very rare in High Wycombe and it continues to be a safe place to live, socialise and work."