'Zombie' knife amnesty launched

A nationwide call to hand over zombie-style knives and machetes has been launched by the Government, ahead of these dangerous weapons being banned from our streets.

From 24 September 2024, it will be illegal to own zombie-style knives and machetes as they are added to the list of dangerous prohibited items already banned, including zombie knives, butterfly knives, Samurai swords and push daggers.

Ahead of the new ban coming into force, anyone who has one of these weapons is being urged to hand them over – safely and legally.

The surrender scheme will allow people to hand in knives that fall within the new legislation at police stations, in return for an application for compensation.

The scheme runs for four weeks between 26 August 2024 to 23 September 2024, without repercussions for surrendering these potentially dangerous knives safely.

Knifes can be surrended at Newtown Police Station, which is open Monday - Friday 8.00am - 12.00pm, 12.30pm - 4.00pm

Anyone making a compensation claim can do so at the point of surrendering the weapon at their local police station. Police forces will forward their application on to the Home Office to be processed.

After 24 September 2024, anyone caught with a zombie-style knife, or a machete faces time behind bars.