Police set to crackdown on 'zombie' knives and machetes with introduction of new powers
New plans from the Home Office will clamp down on the violent weapons
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‘Zombie’ knives and machetes are to be banned and possession will be made illegal, under new plans from the Home Office.
The police will also be given additional powers to seize and destroy any of these weapons that they find.
A new offence will be launched which will prosecute those who possess the weapons “with the intention to endanger life or cause fear of violence”.
The maximum sentence an individual found in possession of a ‘zombie’ knife can receive will be two years.
The possession of the blades was made illegal in 2016 but now the definition of what constitutes a weapon has been broadened.
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The double-edged serrated chopping blades have become popular with criminals due to their intimidating appearance.
The possession of the blades was made illegal in 2016, however, the Home Office has now announced that the definition of what constitutes a ‘zombie’ weapon will be broadened.
The classification has now widened to include any bladed weapons more than eight inches long with both a plain cutting edge and a sharp pointed end. It also may have a serrated cutting edge, more than one hole in the knife blade or several sharp points on it.
It is hoped that the broadening of the definition will stop sales. Currently, some retailers are still stocking types of the dangerous blades.
The law previously stated that the police were not allowed to seize the weapons if found in somebody’s home, even if they believed the knives could be used violently.
However now, officers will be given the powers to take and destroy the blades if there are “reasonable grounds to believe the blade will be used in a serious crime,” the Home Office confirmed.
Policing minister Chris Philp said the weapons “serve no purpose but to inflate criminal egos and endanger lives”.
He added that there is “no reason to own them”.
“That is why we are banning these knives and making sentencing more severe, so our communities can be reassured that this violent criminality will face the punishments they deserve, and lives will be saved,” he said.
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Officers will be given the powers to take and destroy the blades if there are “reasonable grounds to believe the blade will be used in a serious crime"
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The Office for National Statistics said 282 murders were committed using these now-prohibited weapons from March 2021 to March 2022.
This figure is a 19 per cent rise compared to the previous year.
Over 50 teenagers were among the victims.
Labour’s shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the weapons “should have banned years ago”.
“This is the sixth time in seven years that the Conservatives have promised to outlaw zombie knives. Time and again the Tories have been hopelessly weak and slow to tackle this serious and dangerous crime,” she added.
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