One month to surrender 'zombie-style' knives and machetes before ban comes into effect
People who own 'zombie-style' knives and machetes have one month from today to surrender them consequence-free before it becomes illegal to possess them.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Simon Foster supports the new ban which comes into force on Tuesday, September 24. The law, which the family of Wolverhampton murdered schoolboy Ronan Kanda campaigned for, was included in the King's Speech.
Ronan, 16, was murdered yards from his home in Lanesfield, Wolverhampton, in 2022 by two 17-year-old boys carrying swords in a case of mistaken identity.
His family has been campaigning for Ronan’s Law to be introduced which would mean legislation banning the possession of so-called ‘zombie knives’ and ‘ninja swords’.
The new law will cover the manufacture, importation, supply and sale of zombie knives. However, those owning some knives could be in line for compensation for their destruction.
The PCC wants people to use the 31 weapon surrender bins located across the region, where people can deposit dangerous knives and firearms.
Mr Foster said: “I welcome the outlawing from September 24 of 'zombie-style' knives and machetes that are designed solely to cause maximum harm.
“These lethal weapons exploit a loophole in the 2016 definition of what a so-called 'zombie' knife is, and it is right that the Government has acted to reduce their availability and remove them from our streets. Too many lives, particularly young ones, have been tragically lost or ruined because of these deadly blades.
“I strongly urge people who own these soon to be illegal 'zombie-style' knives and machetes to hand them in during the surrender scheme that will run for four weeks. People who choose not to risk finding themselves on the wrong side of this new law, which carries a possible jail sentence."
He added: “Whilst I back any action that restricts access to knives for illegitimate purposes, it is vital that we also focus on interventions aimed at prevention, early intervention and diversion for people who might otherwise opt to carry a knife. Police and Crime Commissioners are working with local partners across law enforcement, healthcare, and the criminal justice system in line with the Government’s Serious Violence Duty, that places responsibilities on certain public bodies to collaborate in tackling the underlying causes of violence.
“PCCs have also been leading on the development and implementation of Violence Reduction Partnerships to address the root causes of serious violence, through multi-agency working and to embed a culture of prevention, early intervention and diversion.
“Currently, there are 20 of these partnerships operating across England and Wales, including here in the West Midlands, and early evidence suggests they are having a meaningful impact in their areas. By bringing together key organisations at a local level to develop a coordinated and strategic response, PCCs are determined to drive down violence, that has devastating consequences for victims, families and local communities.”
As well as the surrender bins, knives can be handed in at nine designated police stations in the West Midlands:
Wolverhampton Local Policing Area
Wolverhampton police station, Metro One Campus, Bilston Street, Wolverhampton.
Dudley Local Policing Area
Brierley Hill police station, Bank Street, Brierley Hill.
Sandwell Local Policing Area
West Bromwich police station, Moor Street, West Bromwich.
Walsall Local Policing Area
Bloxwich police station, Station Street, Walsall.
Birmingham Local Policing Area
Birmingham Central police station, Snow Hill Queensway, Birmingham.
Bournville Police Station, 341 Bournville Lane, Bournville, Birmingham.
Stechford Police Station, 338 Station Road, Stechford, Birmingham.
Sutton Coldfield Police Station, Lichfield Road, Sutton Coldfield.
Solihull Local Policing Area
Solihull police station, Homer Road, Solihull.
Staffordshire Police has also revealed a set of locations.
Staffordshire local policing areas
Longton police station, Sutherland Road, Longton.
Cannock police station, 15 Wolverhampton Road, Cannock.
Burton-on-Trent police station, Horninglow Street, Burton-on-Trent.
Police have also told individuals they can anonymously dispose of these weapons using safe, surrender bins.
Anyone making a compensation claim can do so at the point of surrendering the weapon at their local police station.
Police forces will forward their application on to the Home Office to be processed.
