Over 1,000 zombie knives surrendered in Avon and Somerset
The Home Secretary has promised to halve knife crime in a decade
Last updated 24th Sep 2024
A national surrender campaign launched by the Home Office has led to over 1,000 zombie-style knives and machetes being handed in to Avon and Somerset Police.
The campaign took place ahead of a ban on these weapons which came into effect today (24/9).
The ban makes it illegal to possess, sell, or manufacture zombie-style knives and machetes.
These items, characterised by blades longer than eight inches and often serrated, are being added to the list of prohibited weapons under the Criminal Justice Act 1988. Anyone caught with these weapons could face prosecution.
To help the public comply with the new law, the Home Office set up a surrender and compensation scheme, allowing people to safely hand over the weapons at local police stations.
Avon and Somerset Police had 15 surrender sites across the region and received over 1,000 weapons.
Chief Inspector Mike Vass commented: “We’re pleased to see so many people handing in these dangerous weapons. One business in particular surrendered a large number, preventing them from potentially falling into the wrong hands and causing harm.
“We shouldn’t be seeing these types of weapons in the hands of young people in our communities, we are committed to ensuring anyone in possession of these either face the appropriate prosecutions or know how and where to safely surrender them as soon as possible.”