Another year, another change: The new Zombie Knife Ban.
We’re fast approaching the date at which the government’s new laws officially come into effect. Specifically, part 2 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment, Surrender and Compensation) Order 2024.
Effective Date: 24th September 2024
Key Updates:
New Definition of Offensive Weapons:
The legislation adds a new category for “zombie-style knives” and “zombie-style machetes.”
These are large bladed ‘weapons’ with certain specific features.
To be included in the new legislation, the blade;
MUST
Be longer than 8 inches. (Measured from the tip of the blade to top of the handle)
Have a sharp pointed end
Have a plain cutting edge.
AND Include one or more of the following:
A serrated edge (apart from a small serrated section less than 2 inches long next to the handle)
Multiple holes (More than one hole)
More than two sharp points.
If the blade is less than 8 inches long and has any of the features from the AND selection, it’s not included in the new law.
Likewise, it’s if more than 8 inches long, but doesn’t have anything from the AND section it’s not included in the new law.
What does this mean for you?
It means if you own something now covered by the new rules after the 24th of September, 2024, you may be committing an offense under the law.
What do I do next?
There are three main options:
1) Destroy / grind / file / sand or otherwise remove the features that make the knife illegal.
– If the serrated section is more than 2 inches, you can file it off until it’s less than 2 inches.
– If the blade has multiple holes in it, you could get a Dremel tool and join the holes up until the knife only has one hole.
– If the blade has too many sharp points, you can file or sand them off.
Obviously, this is ONLY if you have a legitimate use for the knife in it’s new configuration. We know that a sawback spine can be useful for gardening for example, but if it makes your extremely useful groundskeeping machete illegal, it may be worth modifying it so you can keep using your tool.
2) You can destroy or dispose of the knife.
– Contact your local recycling centre and ask if they accept knives. If they do: wrap the knife securely in something it wont cut or pierce through and take it to the centre. It’s good practice to contact them first to make sure they’re happy to accept a knife.
– File or sand the knife so it’s fully blunt and doesn’t have a cutting edge anymore; i.e, destroy the knife. It can then be taken to a recycling centre, a knife disposal bin or general household waste if it’s certain to not be any risk of injury to anyone.
3) Surrender the knife to the police for compensation.
– This option is only available until the 24th of September 2024.
– You must have owned / purchased the knife before the 26th of August 2024.
What’s this about compensation?
The legislation allows for a standard amount of compensation to be paid per surrendered knife.
This amount is £10 per knife.
If you have proof the knife was worth more than that when purchased, you must provide proof of the value, i.e a receipt showing it’s value, or other published evidence of it’s value.
In order to qualify for compensation, you need to be requesting a minimum of £30. That’s three knives at £10 each, or a single, or multiple knives with a value of over £30.
In order to surrender your knife, you must wrap and package it securely and take it to a police station. It is advisable to contact them ahead of time to let them know you’re coming to avoid and misunderstandings.
You will need to fill out this form and bring it with you. The person at the desk will be able to guide you through the process and your compensation claim.
Convenient Flow Chart
For further details or assistance, please contact your local police station. Or, feel free to reach out to us for any questions you think we can directly answer for you.
