Express & Star's campaign to ban zombie knives wins national journalism award

The newspaper scooped the Regional Campaign of the Year at the Society of Editors Media Freedom Awards.

The newspaper was also shortlisted for the Regional News Media Organisation of the Year award at the Globe Theatre in central London.

The Express & Star joined the call for the ban after a series of violent deaths in the region involving young people. Many of them involved weapons such as zombie knives and ninja swords, which were easily available to buy online. 

Under the headline How Many More? we pictured many of the victims and called on Government to act.

Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged to make a ban a reality in law and that promise was taken up by Sir Keir Starmer when Labour came into power.

Chief reporter Deborah Hardiman and senior feature writer Mark Andrews, who have both worked on the campaign, received the award from ITV News anchor Lucrezia Millarani at the event in central London.  

Express & Star Editor Mark Drew said: "We are delighted to receive this award, but it is accepted on behalf of the many people who have been campaigning for tighter laws on the sale of knives. The strongest voice has come from the incredibly courageous families of victims who have spoken out and lobbied ministers. We merely joined their call for action."

The Sunday Times scooped the National Campaign of the Year award for its work securing compensation for those affected by the NHS blood scandal.

The Sun won National Investigation of the Year award for its work highlighting the Huw Edwards scandal.