Zombie Knife and Machete surrender scheme ends and new legislation begins

The Home Office amnesty and compensation scheme that encouraged people to surrender dangerous machetes and zombie knives has now ended with some pleasing results in Essex.

The amnesty ended today, which means it is now illegal to own zombie style knives or machetes in England and Wales. The new legislation also means it is against the law to manufacture, import, sell or supply these items.

Over the past month Essex Police have had more than 100 weapons handed in from a dealer who trades in these type of weapons, with the majority fitting the criteria. A further 70 weapons were voluntarily handed in from a couple who collected these items.

Officers have also collected more than 20 weapons from a door to door collection in the Southend area, and are pleased to announce that nearly 300 knives were deposited into the knife amnesty bin while the knife angel was in residence in the city.

The knife amnesty bins can be found in each district in Essex and are emptied twice a year. Early reports from the recent emptying of the Chelmsford and Clacton bins suggest people are using these bins to dispose of weapons safely and take them out of circulation.

It is really reassuring to see the public response to the scheme and the determination of Essex Police, the PFCC and the VVU to get these dangerous weapons off our street and keep our Essex communities safe.