Northumbria Police ask public to hand over zombie knives and machetes ahead of September ban

David Huntley
·3-min read
Zombie knives
-Credit: (Image: Northumbria Police)


Those in the North East who are in possession of zombie-style knives and machetes are being urged to hand them in to police ahead of a ban.

Under new legislation, from September 24 it will be illegal to own the weapons. Until Monday, September 23, anyone will be able to hand them into police stations so that they can be properly disposed of.

Those looking to hand in the knives are urged to contact their local police station for advice on how to bring them in safely and securely. Surrender bins, at which any other unwanted knives as well as zombie-style knives and machetes can also be submitted, will be in place at 10 different stations in the Northumbria Police force area for those who want to hand them in anonymously.

Those handing in the knives can apply to claim compensation for doing so. The standard compensation amount for each surrendered weapon will be £10. Claims for compensation must be made at the same time as surrendering the weapon. Claims will be authorised and paid out by the Home Office.

Superintendent Scott Cowie, of Northumbria Police’s Prevention department, said: “These types of weapons are incredibly dangerous and this move is an important one in removing them from society. As a Force, we are committed to tackling knife crime and reducing the devastating impact it causes in our communities among victims and their families and loved ones.”

Supt Cowie added: “I would urge anyone who is in possession of one of these zombie-style weapons to arrange to hand it over during the coming weeks and visit one of our stations to do so. Once the deadline has passed, anyone found to be in possession of these weapons should be expect to face serious consequences, which could include time in prison. If you have zombie-style knives, please hand them in and play your part in helping to keep our Force area among the safest to live, work and visit in the country.”

Police will take possession of the weapons handed in and the applicant will then be contacted by the Home Office at a later date. The scheme, which is now open, closes on Monday, September 23 at 11.59pm.

The weapons, which are sometimes known as a ‘zombie-style’ knife or ‘zombie-style’ machete, is described as a bladed article with:

  • A plain cutting edge

  • A sharp pointed end

  • A blade of over eight inches in length (the length of the blade being the straight-line distance from the top of the handle to the tip of the blade).

It also has one or more of the following features:

  • A serrated cutting edge (other than a serrated cutting edge of up to two inches

  • next to the handle)

  • More than one hole in the blade

  • Spikes

  • More than two sharp points in the blade other than:

  • A sharp point where the angle between the edges which create the point is an angle of at least 90 degrees (where there is a curved edge, the angle will be measured by reference to the tangent of the curve)

  • A sharp point on the cutting edge of the blade near the handle.

Zombie-style knives and machetes can be handed in at the following stations in the Northumbria Force area:

  • Southwick in Sunderland

  • Millbank in South Shields

  • Gateshead station

  • Etal Lane and Forth Banks stations in Newcastle

  • Middle Engine Lane in Wallsend

  • Alnwick, Bedlington, Berwick and Hexham in Northumberland

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