Police call for weapons surrender ahead of zombie-knife ban

Bedfordshire Police will join forces across the country to support a month-long surrender of zombie style knives, as new legislation is introduced banning the lethal blades. 

Zombie-style knives and machetes will soon be banned across England and Wales following new legislation that was announced earlier this year. 

From 24 September, anyone in possession of the lethal blades could face up to four-years imprisonment. The ban will also crack down on online retailers, increasing the maximum sentence to two years for those caught selling knives to young people. 

The new legislation also encompasses the manufacturing, supply, sale, possession and importation of these weapons. 

Ahead of the national ban, a month-long surrender scheme will run from Monday (26 August) until 23 September in which people are urged to put their weapons in one of the county’s weapons surrender bins. 

Alternatively, the initiative allows owners to be compensated for their weapons by handing them in to Bedfordshire Police Headquarters or Luton Police Station along with the Home Office Compensation form. 

Inspector Liz Spurling from Bedfordshire Police said: “This ban is a welcome measure in our continued efforts to tackle knife crime on our streets, while strengthening police powers to be able to seize these lethal weapons from private premises. 

“My appeal to anyone in possession of a blade, be it a zombie-style knife or otherwise – just drop it. There is no reason, no excuse and no tolerance for knife crime here in Bedfordshire. Whether you think it’s for protection or because you believe others carry a knife, simply having a blade on you can have deadly consequences. You have a choice and the best thing you can do is to surrender your weapon today.

 “We know that recent knife-related incidents have been concerning for residents of Bedfordshire, however we are continuing to see positive shifts across the county with offences involving a bladed article down 20 per cent in July compared to last year, while serious violence involving young people fell by 10 per cent.

“These changes are a direct result of communities and partners banding together to take a stand against knife crime, to report suspicious and anti-social behaviour and provide our officers with vital information in our bid to tackle serious violence and knife crime in our county.”

Since the launch of the ‘Just Drop It’ knife crime campaign by the county’s Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit in November of last year, more than 4,400 knives have been recovered from weapons surrender bins by Bedfordshire Police, marking the forces’ highest figures in five years.

Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, John Tizard said: “I support any measure that will see tougher laws around knife crime. The prevention of knife crime, especially ensuring that young people do not carry, let alone use knives to commit violence, has to be a core mission for the police, local authorities and schools. 

“We need to introduce new measures such as the government’s proposed youth hubs to provide diversionary opportunities, counselling and support for young people. We need to improve mental health services, tackle serious crime, and break serious crime gangs which, all too often, can breed knife crime amongst innocent and vulnerable young people. 

“I wish to enhance the resources for and reach of our Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit (VERU), while supporting Bedfordshire Police and empowering those affected to drive change. The message is clear; don’t pick up a knife and if you do, then drop it.”