Crackdown on zombie knives
Minister says banned curved blade weapons ‘glamourise violence’
METROPOLITAN Police will join the nationwide crackdown on zombie knives as legislation is set to ban sales by the end of the week.
The curved blade knife, which was once more of a collectors’ item, is now increasingly being carried by criminals, according to the Home Office.
The knives can have cutting blades of up to 25 inches, have a serrated edge and include images or words that ‘glamorise violence’.
New laws laid down on Thursday August 18 will ban the sale, manufacture, rental or importation of the knives and anyone caught doing so could face up to four years in prison.
Minister for Vulnerability, Safeguarding and Countering Extremism, Sarah Newton, said: “This government will act wherever necessary to cut crime and keep our communities safe.
“Zombie killer knives glamorise violence and cause devastating damage – they have no place whatsoever in our society.
“We are committed to banning the sale, manufacture and importation of these dangerous weapons.
“With the ban now becoming law, we were delivering on our committment. Anyone caught making or selling zombie knives now faces up to four years in prison.”
The new law comes in addition to government action to address knife crime through an agreement with retailers committing to regular staff training, safely displaying and securely packaging knives.
There will also be a push to raise public awareness of age restrictions, and making sure robust age verification checks for knife sales take place, whether in-store or online.
The news comes after a series of fatal stabbings in west London, leading to unease in several communities.
Chief Constable Alf Hitchcock, National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Knife Enabled Crime, said: “Zombie knives are absolutely horrific weapons.
“Forces are determined to reduce the harm caused by these and all other dangerous weapons.
“There is no place for knife crime within society and this ban is further commitment to keeping communities safe.”