Amnesty and compensation scheme for zombie knives starts

An amnesty and compensation scheme is set to come into effect for people in England and Wales who possess zombie-style knives and machetes before the weapons are banned next month.

New legislation will close a loophole in the law and make possessing, making, transporting or selling a wide range of so-called ‘statement’ knives, popular with criminal gangs, punishable by prison terms.

People who currently have such knives in their possession can hand them in to the police without fear of prosecution. In some cases, they can then claim compensation.

The new law, which comes into effect on September 24, covers the production, supply, sale, possession and import of these weapons.

There are exceptions for people who have a good reason to own the items, for example a special machete used in forestry or an antique samurai sword.

People who do own a weapon with a long blade are advised to check with their local police to see if they are in violation.

The Conservative government attempted to impose a ban in 2016, but a loophole in the law allowed some sections to be circumvented.

In January, the then Minister of the Interior said: James Cleverly Announces Zombie-Style Knives and Machetes – which have a sharp edge on one side and a serrated edge on the other – would be banned under the new legislation.

While it is illegal to possess large, pointed weapons in public, a loophole in the law allows you to keep and sell them, as long as they do not depict violence on the handle.

An amendment to the Offensive Weapons Act closes this loophole and goes into effect next month.

Earlier this month, Police Minister Diana Johnson said the ban was the first step in the government’s plan to halve knife crime in a decade.

Dame Diana added that there would be attempts to ban ninja swords next.

But the mother of 16-year-old Mikey Ryall, who was fatally stabbed with a zombie knife near Bristol last June, fears the new law will be “not enough” to tackle knife crime.

“I wish the government would ask us (what we need) and listen to us because we are the ones who have to live with it,” Hayley said.

“Knives will still be available to obtain. It could be “It can’t be a zombie knife… it can be a kitchen knife, or whatever.”

Mrs Ryall said she only realised “how serious” knife crime among young people was when her son became a victim.