New map shows how many people were caught with blades in your neighbourhood amid zombie knife ban
Under new legislation taking effect today, the possession of zombie knives is now illegal in the UK. The recent enforceable law plugs a loophole and criminalizes the possession, creation, distribution or sale of extensive types of "statement" knives, which are a favourite amongst criminal circles. The ban is part of efforts to reduce knife crime, with campaigners including actor Idris Elba pushing for the large blades to be outlawed.
Specifically targeted are zombie-style knives and machetes that sport blades longer than eight inches (20cm), usually with a serrated edge made for cutting. Ahead of the ban, an amnesty along with compensation incentives were provided to urge individuals to give up such weapons.
We have put together an interactive map pinpointing where individuals are most likely to be caught carrying a weapon, which can be found below. Following data released by the BBC from Freedom of Information requests, it has been revealed that in 2023, police forces across England and Wales reported over 14,000 incidents involving zombie knives, machetes, or swords.
READ MORE: Murder of Woolwich schoolboy is ‘stark reminder of zombie knife danger’ just 2 days before ban
In direct comparison, there were 7,159 instances reported in 2019, spiking to 14,195 by 2023. Out of these, machetes featured in nearly 10,000 offences last year alone, which constitutes twice the amount reported five years earlier, according to the BBC.
Additionally, Home Office statistics uncover that in the 12-month period ending March 2024, serious criminal cases including murder, rape, robbery, assault, and sexual offences involving knives surpassed 51,000almost twice the figure of blade-related crimes for the same period ending ten years prior, in March 2014.
Knife crime statistics reveal a worrying trend, with 27,500 offences of possessing a knife recorded last year. Although this marks a slight decrease from the previous year, it's still over three times higher than the 9,000 incidents reported a decade ago.
Birmingham has been identified as the UK's knife-carrying capital over the past three years, with police recording a staggering 5,880 offences. This figure is more than double Manchester's 2,049 reports, which ranks second in terms of knife possession incidents. In Birmingham, there have been 508 crime reports for carrying a "bladed or pointed article" per 100,000 people. This alarming statistic suggests that roughly one in every 200 individuals was caught with a knife in the city within the last three years.
The data indicates that Birmingham residents are more likely to be found with a knife than those in any other area based on the last three years' crime reports. Following Birmingham, Blackpool and Wolverhampton have high rates of knife possession, with 427 and 398 crime reports per 100,000 population, respectively.
Crawley in Sussex stands out with an extraordinary rate of 943 offences per 100,000 people, but this may be skewed due to the presence of Gatwick Airport, one of the UK's busiest international airports, located at the town's outskirts.
Carrying most knives in public without a "good reason", such as for work purposes, religious reasons, or as part of a national costume, is illegal. However, certain knives, like 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 completely banned.
The new law now makes it illegal to possess, sell, or manufacture zombie-style knives - which are similar to a zombie knife but lack the "distinct images or threatening wording that incites violence". Under a weapon surrender scheme, retailers and the public had until today (September 24) to hand over this type of weapon and receive a standard compensation of £10. The maximum sentence for carrying a knife in a public place or being found in possession of a banned knife is four years in prison.
Gavin Stephens, chairman of the National Police Chiefs' Council, welcomed the ban but added: "We're acutely conscious that bans and the legislation and enforcement is only one part of the equation, and we know that there's a lot for us to do across the full range of our policing activities to deter young people from violence. We're not going to solve the problem of knife crime just by one aspect of it."
Tech experts are developing a new system that could allow police to spot knife carriers from a distance. The prototype technology, which could be first used on large crowds at concerts or train stations, would scan individuals as they pass between two points, eliminating the need for detection arches. It's hoped this cutting-edge tech could be rolled out in the coming years.
Our London Court & Crime newsletter brings you the latest major court updates and breaking news straight to your inbox. You can sign up HERE.