Olympics: Guns, knives recycled into 2012 Games sites

Knives and guns seized from London thugs are being recycled into building materials for the 2012 Olympic Games, police said Tuesday.

London's Metropolitan Police said it collected more than 52 tonnes of scrap metal from guns, knives and old keys in the last financial year.

The force said the recovered steel, iron and other valuable metals were melted down and used in construction, with some of the materials going to the Olympic site in Stratford, east London.

"We're constantly looking for new ways to recycle and new markets for our recyclable materials, to conserve resources, save energy and money," said spokeswoman Sarah Foster.

The Met's annual environment report said the force recycled a total of 3,182 tonnes of waste in 2008-9, including uniforms, firing range bullets and horse manure.

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