A ban on zombie knives and machetes is set to come into effect in England and Wales next month.
A nationwide surrender scheme will be running at police stations from August 26 until September 23.
People who hand over their potentially dangerous knives before the ban comes into force on September 24 will not face any repercussions.
Zombie knives have long been a controversial subject when it comes to the problem of knife crime in the UK.
Although the weapon was initially banned in 2016, it is hoped the stricter law will prevent companies from manufacturing and selling them.
So, what actually is a zombie knife? What are ministers doing to clamp down on zombie knives?
A knife bin outside Chelmsford Crown Court in Essex. People who hand in their zombie knives before the ban comes into force next month will not face repercussions
Zombie knives are named after weapons used by characters in Zombie movies. A still from TV series the Walking Dead
Lennie James holding a knife as Morgan Jones in series eight of The Walking Dead
People who hand in their zombie knives before the ban on September 24 will not face repercussions (file photo)
What is a zombie knife?
Named after the knives often used by characters in zombie films, so-called zombie knives have a long, menacing blade that can span up to 25 inches.
They are described by the government as a blade with ‘a cutting edge, a serrated edge and images or words suggesting it is used for violence’.
The first series of such knives was released by American company Ka-Bar in 2011, who promoted the weapon with the quip ‘the need for knives capable of killing a zombie when firearms aren’t available’.
Despite being designed for collectors and survivalists, their appearance has led to them being increasingly used by criminals and by criminal gangs. They may also be customised with gory or intimidating words and imagery.
Zombie knives are described as having ‘a cutting edge, a serrated edge and images or words suggesting it is used for violence’
Are zombie knives illegal?
Previously some machetes and other knives were categorised as having ‘legitimate uses’, such as those used for gardening, agriculture or culinary purposes.
This complicated legislation regulating knives, as it means certain blades can be kept at home and remain unseized by the police.
It is currently illegal to use any knife or weapon in a threatening way, carry most knives in public without a ‘good reason’ such as for work purposes, or to sell most knives or any weapons to anyone under the age of 18.
An adult found guilty of carrying a knife or weapon illegally faces a maximum penalty of either four years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. Repeat offenders can be handed a prison sentence.
On September 24, a ban on the so-called zombie knives will come into place.
This legislation will mean that it will be illegal to possess, sell, manufacture or transport these zombie-style knives and machetes.
Those who hand in their weapons to police before that date will not face any repercussions.
How are ministers clamping down on knife crime?
In 2016, Theresa May, who was home secretary at the time, the government said that legislation would be introduced to outlaw zombie knives.
Later that year it announced a ban on the sale, importation and manufacture of zombie knives across England and Wales.
When Amber Rudd followed in 2018, the government said a new Offensive Weapons Bill would make it illegal to possess certain offensive weapons such as zombie knives in private.
The bill received royal assent in 2019, prompting the Government to say that the Offensive Weapons Act would also prohibit the sale of bladed products to a residential address without age verification.
The government hopes the new legislation will tighten the loophole on ‘menacing’ zombie knives in a bid to get such weapons of the streets (Pictured: some examples of different zombie knives, varying in length from a long blade to shorter styles)
Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson urged people to ‘do the right thing’ to make streets safer
The current Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson urged the public to ‘do the right thing’ to make streets safer.
She said: ‘Too many people have access to weapons that can lead to devastating, life-changing consequences.
‘There is no legitimate need for a weapon of this kind to be in our homes or on our streets.
‘That is why we will continue to make sure the tightest restrictions are in place to limit the availability of these lethal weapons.
‘Implementing a ban on zombie-style knives is just the first step in our ambitious, dedicated plan to halve knife crime within a decade, and will closely be followed by making ninja swords illegal.
‘It is absolutely crucial that members of the public come forward and safely hand in these weapons.
‘We cannot do this alone, political, policing and community leaders must work together to bring the knife crime epidemic to an end and offer a better future for our young people.’
