'I handed in my dangerous machete - here's why you should too'

M.E.N. reporter Thomas George hands over the knife at Bury police station
-Credit: (Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)


As I approach the front door of Bury police station, I look over my shoulder several times. In my left hand is a fearsome-looking machete, which I'm about to surrender to police.

The 13-inch blade was purchased over the counter earlier this year as part of a Manchester Evening News investigation, which revealed just how easy it is to get hold of deadly weapons on the streets of Greater Manchester. When the M.E.N. bought the weapon from Kitraco in Stockport, it was not against the law to own such a knife.

Since May, the machete has been locked away inside a cupboard deep within the bowels of the M.E.N.'s office. Now, the time has come to hand it over to the police.

READ MORE: Smoke pours from industrial unit as firefighters tackle blaze

That is because come Tuesday (September 24), the weapon will fall foul of the law. New legislation means it will be illegal to own a 'zombie-style' knife or machete which has a plain cutting edge, a sharp pointed end and a blade of more than eight inches, plus at least one of the following:

⦁ a serrated cutting edge over two inches long

⦁ more than one hole in the blade

⦁ spikes

⦁ more than two sharp points in the blade.

Under a Home Office scheme, anyone who possesses one of these knives can hand them in at a police station by Monday (September 23) and receive compensation.

Anyone who possesses a dangerous knife can hand them in at a police station and receive compensation
Anyone who possesses a dangerous knife can hand them in at a police station and receive compensation -Credit:Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News

At the front desk, I introduce myself to a female police officer and explain why I'm here. The woman goes to find a colleague, who talks me through the process of handing over the knife and asks whether I want to apply for compensation.

The standard compensation fee per knife stands at £10. The officer explains that it is not possible to claim for less than £30 which means that, in most cases, you can only claim for three items or more.

As I only have one knife to surrender, I would need to submit supporting evidence - in the form of a receipt - to prove the weapon is worth more than £10. But having already disposed of the receipt, I am not eligible to receive compensation.

The officer then dons a pair of safety gloves and I hand over the knife. In doing so, I feel an enormous weight lifted from my shoulders.

The knife has a 13-inch blade
The knife has a 13-inch blade -Credit:Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News

It turns out that I'm not the only one to have turned up at the station with a fearsome knife. A knife amnesty bin has been filled while in the last two days alone, an 18-inch machete and an axe have been handed in, the officer explains.

One man even surrendered a haul of about 30 knives, which they claimed a family member had been collecting prior to the death. At £10 a knife, they stand to receive about £300 in compensation.

Although the financial reward is tempting, that is not the only reason for people to surrender their knives before the law changes.

Across the UK, countless lives are being lost at the hands of these deadly weapons. Greater Manchester is no stranger to the heartbreak that knife crime can cause, with the tragic names of young victims featured in the M.E.N. on far too many occasions.

The fearsome machete was purchased as part of an M.E.N. investigation
The fearsome machete was purchased as part of an M.E.N. investigation -Credit:Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News

Let's get it straight, knives are not cool. They do not earn you respect, or keep you safe.

The sharp truth is that young people who carry blades are more likely to get stabbed themselves. There is also the very real danger that if you carry a knife, you could be overpowered and injured by your own weapon.

In the UK, it is illegal to carry most knives in public without a 'good reason'. But certain knives, such as a flick knife or a 'zombie knife' - a knife with a cutting edge, a serrated edge, and images or words suggesting it is used for violence - are banned outright.

New legislation passed by the last government earlier this year now makes it illegal to possess, sell, or manufacture zombie-style knives - which are the same as a zombie knife but without the 'distinct images or threatening wording that incites violence'.

This knife will soon be illegal
This knife will soon be illegal -Credit:Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News

Anyone carrying a knife in a public place or being caught in possession of a banned knife could face up to four years in prison.

The new law change comes after years of campaigning by the loved ones of those whose lives have tragically been cut short by stabbings across the country.

The choice is yours. Hand over the knife with no questions or repercussions, or face the potential consequences that come with carrying one. It's never too late to do the right thing.

How to hand over knives

Knives can be handed in at numerous police stations across Greater Manchester including Bury, Rochdale, Bolton, Cheadle Heath, Ashton, Oldham, North Manchester at Central Park or at the City Centre Public Enquiry Counter at Manchester Town Hall. Compensation can be claimed at the same time.

A form must be downloaded from the GMP website, completed and brought into the station with the knife or machete. The force has said that anyone taking part in the scheme should carry the claim form in case they are stopped by police on the way to the station.

The knife is handed over to a police officer
The knife is handed over to a police officer -Credit:Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News

At the police station, do not take the item out until a police officer or a member of police staff asks you to do so. Alternatively, you can also hand in knives anonymously by putting them in surrender bins which are available across the country.

Claims for compensation must be made when you hand the knife or knives over to the police. You will not be able to claim later. You will need to complete the surrender and compensation form to make a claim. The standard compensation for each item is £10.

You cannot claim compensation for less than £30 which means that, in most cases, you can only claim for three items or more. However, if you think your surrendered item is worth more than £10, you can claim for the higher amount with supporting evidence.

All claim forms will be sent to the Home Office for processing.