New legislation on zombie style knives and start of knife amnesty

A nationwide call to hand over zombie-style knives and machetes has been launched by the government, before these dangerous weapons are banned from our streets from 24 September.

From 24 September 2024, new legislation comes into effect which makes it illegal to own zombie-style knives and machetes as they will be added to the list of dangerous prohibited items already banned, including zombie knives, butterfly knives, Samurai swords and push daggers. The law will also cover the manufacture, supply, sale, possession and importation of these weapons.

Roger Hirst, PFCC and Chair of the Violence & Vulnerability Partnership, alongside partner organisations and community groups across Southend, Essex and Thurrock, has campaigned for these tighter laws to tackle zombie knives. The Violence and Vulnerability Partnership welcome this legislation.

Ahead of the new ban coming into force, anyone who has one of these weapons is being urged to hand them over – safely and legally.

Essex Police are participating in the scheme and anyone who owns one of these weapons is encouraged to hand it in at one of their participating stations from today (Monday 26 August) until 23 September, without repercussions for surrendering these potentially dangerous knives safely.

In some cases compensation will be offered for some of the weapons, full details of the surrender scheme, a list of items covered, their definition and guidance on how to transport them safely can be found by visiting the Home Office’s dedicated web page.