City of London Police station participates in national scheme to recover zombie knifes

People are being urged to surrender their zombie-style knives and zombie-style machetes in a bid to rid the UK of these dangerous weapons ahead of a change to the law.

From Monday, 26 August, people will be able to bring in these style weapons into the front desk at Bishopsgate Police Station which is opposite Liverpool Street train station and could receive compensation. Lawful owners will be able to claim compensation for the items in most cases, if the total value of the items is more than £30. Claims can be submitted to City of London Police using a form which is available here on the Government website.

The surrender and compensation scheme is part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to tackling serious violence and strengthening police powers to act. Changes to the Criminal Justice Act 1988 will add zombie-style knives and zombie-style machetes to the list of prohibited offensive weapons.

Commander Stephen Clayman is National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for knife crime. He said:

“Tackling knife crime requires all agencies and partners working together, approaching this from a number of different angles. Dealing with the accessibility of deadly weapons is key and we are doing all we can to reduce how readily and easily they can end up in the wrong hands. Many of these ‘zombie-style’ knives and machetes are clearly designed to intimidate and cause harm, rather than serve any practical purpose, so the ban will support us by significantly reducing their availability.

“I would urge anyone in possession of a knife soon to be become prohibited to do the right thing and surrender it. To be clear from the 24th September you will be liable to arrest and prosecution if found with such a weapon.  If you don’t wish to take part in or are not eligible for the compensation scheme you can surrender any knives or weapons at a suitable knife bin which are readily available across the country.”

People surrendering items must ensure that the items are safe to handle while travelling to the police station and while on police premises. They must be contained in a manner that allows them to be transported without causing distress or alarm to other members of the public.  

Items must be wrapped up and placed in a sealed bag or box. They must not be carried openly at any time. Carrying bladed articles in public without a good reason or lawful authority is an offence.  

Carrying the items according to these instructions and accompanied by the claim form will allow individuals to claim that they have a ‘good reason’ - namely that they are about to surrender the articles at the nearest designated police station - if stopped by the police. Once in the police station, the person mustn't take the item out until requested to do so by a police officer or member of police staff. 

The scheme will see a one-month surrender period for owners to hand in their weapons to the police and claim compensation, which will run until 23 September. These items will be illegal to possess, sell, manufacture and transport from 24 September.

Further guidance and information is available here.