A new law is set to make it illegal to own certain types of zombie knives and machetes in the UK, with strict measures being introduced next month.

From Tuesday, 24 September 2024, it will become illegal to possess, sell, manufacture, or transport specific styles of zombie knives and machetes. These weapons, often referred to as “zombie-style” knives or machetes, typically feature distinctive and intimidating designs.

Starting Monday, 26 August 2024, a month-long surrender and compensation scheme will be launched, giving owners the opportunity to hand in these weapons ahead of the ban.

This move is part of broader efforts to address the risks posed by such weapons in the community, and authorities are urging people to take advantage of the surrender scheme before the law comes into force.

The bladed articles include those with:-

• a plain cutting edge;
• a sharp pointed end; and
• a blade of over eight inches in length (the length of the blade being the straight-line distance from the top of the handle to the tip of the blade),

which also has one or more of the following features, the specified features are:

• a serrated cutting edge (other than a serrated cutting edge of up to two inches next to the handle);
• more than one hole in the blade;
• spikes;
• more than two sharp points in the blade other than:
  • a sharp point where the angle between the edges which create the point is an angle of at least 90 degrees (where there is a curved edge, the angle will be measured by reference to the tangent of the curve);
  • a sharp point on the cutting edge of the blade near the handle

Government Launches Surrender and Compensation Scheme for Zombie Knives Ahead of New Law

In preparation for the upcoming legislation banning certain zombie-style knives and machetes, the government has initiated a month-long national surrender and compensation scheme. This program allows current owners to voluntarily hand in their weapons to the police.

The surrender scheme will be active from 26 August to 23 September 2024, with police forces nationwide participating in the initiative.

Owners of knives that fall under the new legal restrictions will be eligible for compensation when they surrender them. Detailed information on which weapons are covered by the scheme, along with surrender and compensation guidelines, can be found on the official Government website.

Guidance for Surrendering Zombie Knives: Compensation and Precautions

Under the government’s new scheme, individuals surrendering knives that meet specific criteria may be eligible for compensation. Please make sure you understand the rules behind this by visiting the Government website. There are conditions for compensation, one of which is that you will need to prove that you are the legal owner of the knife and another to provide your name and address. You can however hand in a knife without claiming compensation and in this situation you will not need to provide these details.

For those planning to surrender their knives, it’s essential to take precautions. Publicly carrying bladed items, even on the way to a police station, could result in prosecution for possession of a bladed article. Ensure your knife is securely wrapped and placed in a sealed bag or box, keeping it covered at all times.

Before surrendering your knife, you’ll need to fill out a form, which can be downloaded and printed from the Government website. Although some police stations may have copies of the form, availability is not guaranteed, so it’s advisable to bring your own. If you are not looking to claim compensation you do still need to complete the form but you can go straight to section B to confirm you do not want compensation.

We’d advise contacting the police station beforehand as there are only certain stations participating in the scheme and they may have limited opening hours. Here’s a list of participating police stations and here’s contact details for police stations in and around London.

Who’s Next Campaign: Stand Against Knife Crime

We are working closely with the AP Foundation on their ‘Who’s Next Campaign’ which is looking at ways to tackle knife crime. To find out about this amazing cause or simply to donate to the charity please visit the AP fouundation website