Hampshire zombie knife surrender scheme
Owners being offered compensation to had their weapons in ahead of law change
Police in Hampshire are part of a surrender and compensation scheme for zombie-style knives and zombie-style machetes being launched by the Government on Monday, 26 August.
The scheme will see a one-month surrender period for owners to hand in their weapons to the police and claim compensation, which will run until 23 September. These items will be illegal to possess, sell, manufacture and transport from 24 September.
Disrupt
Chief Superintendent Claire Jenkins, force strategic lead for knife crime, said:
“Tackling knife crime requires all agencies and partners working together, approaching this from a number of different angles.
"Our commitment to disrupt and tackle serious violence through Operation Sceptre and ongoing work with the Violence Reduction Partnership, has seen a reduction of nearly 8% for the number of knife crime offences in our Force area, when compared to last year.
“Our commitment to disrupt and tackle serious violence through Operation Sceptre and ongoing work with the Violence Reduction Partnership, has seen a reduction of nearly 8% for the number of knife crime offences in our Force area, when compared to last year.
"Knife crime can affect anyone, not just people in gangs. Young people say they carry them because of peer pressure or for protection - but in fact you are much more likely to become a victim of knife crime yourself. Situations involving weapons can quickly get out of control. If you are found with a knife - you will be arrested and are very likely to be charged with a crime for a first time offence. We must challenge the assumption that it’s normal to carry a knife. It isn’t. You are putting yourself, other people and your future at risk.
“This surrender is key to help deal with the accessibility of deadly weapons and we are doing all we can to reduce how readily and easily they can end up in the wrong hands. Many of these ‘zombie-style’ knives and machetes are clearly designed to intimidate and cause harm, rather than serve any practical purpose, so the ban will support us by significantly reducing their availability.
“I would urge anyone in possession of a knife soon to be become prohibited to do the right thing and surrender it. To be clear from the 24th September you will be liable to arrest and prosecution if found with such a weapon.
"If you don’t wish to take part in or are not eligible for the compensation scheme you can surrender any knives or weapons at a suitable knife bin which are readily available across our county.”
Scheme
The surrender and compensation scheme is part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to tackling serious violence and strengthening police powers to act. Changes to the Criminal Justice Act 1988 will add zombie-style knives and zombie-style machetes to the list of prohibited offensive weapons.
Under the scheme, these items can be surrendered to police. Lawful owners will be able to claim compensation for the items in most cases, if the total value of the items is more than £30. Claims can be submitted using a form which is available here on the Government website.
Designated police stations in north Hampshire
Items can be surrendered and compensation claimed at these designated front offices:
Aldershot Police Station Wellington Avenue Aldershot GU11 1NZ
Andover Police Station South Street Andover SP10 2ED
NPIC Police Station Jays Close Viables Business Park Basingstoke RG22 4BS
Safety
People surrendering items must ensure that the items are safe to handle while travelling to the police station and while on police premises. They must be contained in a manner that allows them to be transported without causing distress or alarm to other members of the public.
Items must be wrapped up and placed in a sealed bag or box.
They must not be carried openly at any time.
Carrying bladed articles in public without a good reason or lawful authority is an offence. Carrying the items according to these instructions and accompanied by the claim form will allow individuals to claim that they have a ‘good reason’ - namely that they are about to surrender the articles at the nearest designated police station - if stopped by the police.
Once in the police station, the person must not take the item out until requested to do so by a police officer or member of police staff.