PCC backs zombie knife and machete amnesty ahead of ban

Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews is calling for the public's full support for a new national weapons amnesty to remove deadly 'zombie-style' knives and machetes from the streets.

New legislation comes into force on 24 September 2024 which means anyone caught in possession of the lethal blades could face a possible jail sentence.

The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner is supporting a national surrender and compensation scheme and is urging those in possession of the weapons to hand them over before the ban comes into effect.

Under the scheme, which runs until September 23, owners of the items will be able to safely surrender these knives without fear of prosecution.

The standard compensation for each item is £10 but people will not be able to claim compensation for less than £30. This means you can only claim for three items or more.

Further information on the scheme and a list of participating police stations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is available at: https://www.leics.police.uk/notices/zk/zombie-style-knives-machetes-surrender-compensation-scheme/

The new ban follows changes to the Criminal Justice Act 1988 which will add 'zombie-style' machetes to the list of prohibited offensive weapons. The ban also covers the manufacture, sale, importation and general supply of these items.

Commenting on the scheme, Mr Matthews said: "I strongly support this new ban and would urge anyone in possession of these deadly blades to surrender them as soon as possible before the new ban takes effect.

"Every life lost to serious violence is a tragedy and we must do everything possible to reduce the risk. These lethal weapons are designed to cause maximum harm and have no place in our communities. Anyone who insists on ownership after the ban will rightly face punishment.

"We must address knife crime and violence at every level. While tougher enforcement and sentencing is important, we must also continue to unravel to the complex issues that drive young people to carry knives and inflict violence and intervene as early as possible to help them change course.

"Serious violence is preventable, and I will continue to work closely with partners including the Violence Reduction Network to protect more people from becoming victims and perpetrators of violence in the future."