What is a zombie knife? Dangerous knives and machetes are still for sale online, despite the government ban

On November 18, 2024By Pranco

Zombie knives and machetes are still available for sale online in Britain, despite a UK ban that came into effect in September banning their possession or sale.

The broadcaster bought two 18-inch machetes of one for £19.99 each. The research found that weapons – including a 10-inch Defender

However, since September 24, a ban on these dangerous machetes and knives has been in force in Great Britain.

Rishi Sunak first proposed these laws last year, and they were introduced by Sir Keir Starmer’s Labor government after the election. These laws make it illegal to possess, distribute, produce or transport the weapons.

Before the formal surrender and compensation plan was introduced this summer, the government invited anyone in possession of one of these weapons to voluntarily place it in a knife return bin. It allowed those with one of these knives to surrender it without fear of legal consequences, helping to get the weapons off the streets as quickly as possible. Now anyone in possession of one of these knives can be sent to jail.

The government worked with law enforcement, local communities and other partners to ensure the public was aware of the surrender program, which has been used in conjunction with knife bans in the past.

This is just one part of a wider series of steps the government is taking to toughen the already toughest knife crime laws in the world. Any weapon carried in public without a valid reason is prohibited by law and punishable by up to four years in prison. In 2016, the government banned zombie knives, and in 2019 cyclone knives were banned.

Under the law, a prison sentence of up to two years can be imposed on anyone in possession of it. Those who manufacture and sell zombie knives can also face jail time. But progress in passing the legislation has been slow and several cases involving zombie knives have occurred since then.

Just days before the new law came into effect, a 15-year-old named Daejaun Campbell died after being stabbed in the thigh with one of the guns in Woolwich. Campbell’s reported last words were “I’m 15, don’t let me die”. Three people were later charged with murder.

In September 2023, 15-year-old Elianne Andam was stabbed on the way to school with what was probably a foot long, serrated zombie sword. Tributes poured in for the south London student and aspiring lawyer who was allegedly stabbed in the neck. A 17-year-old boy has been charged and will stand trial in the spring. For legal reasons he cannot be named.

In October, a 23-year-old man was arrested for carrying 18 knives, including large machetes and zombie knives, during a police stop outside Edmonton Green station.

The number of knife crimes has increased by nine percent in 2022 and around 45,000 offenses have been recorded. Last year, just over 19,000 warnings and convictions were issued for possession of a knife or offensive weapon, with 18 percent of cases involving young people.

The recent senseless deaths highlight the damage caused by knives on the streets of the capital.

But what exactly is a zombie knife?

A zombie knife recovered from a Hackney estate by police

Waltham Forest Police/PC Ware

A zombie knife is a bladed weapon that has increasingly been linked to violent crime and gang use. Inspired by zombie movies, they often have one smooth blade and one serrated edge. They come in different sizes and shapes and usually contain images or text (on the blade or on the handle) that suggest they should be used for violence.

Rules from the past about zombie knives

The government said in 2016 that work was underway to create laws to ban zombie knives when Theresa May was home secretary. Later that year it made an announcement banning the sale, production and import of zombie knives in England and Wales.

Although laws have banned certain zombie knives since 2016, there are regulatory loopholes that have allowed sales to continue. Some retailers got around the restrictions by removing threatening words from the coat of arms.

This meant that even if they think the weapons were used to commit a crime, police could not confiscate them if they were discovered in someone’s home.

What do the rules introduced in September mean?

In August, a new definition was outlined that defines a zombie-style knife as “any weapon with a blade more than eight inches long with a plain cutting edge and a sharp pointed end that also has a serrated cutting edge, or more than one hole in the blade , or multiple sharp points such as spines”.

According to the Ministry of Interior, police have the power to confiscate certain items containing knives, even if they are not illegal. This is intended to close the loophole that allows some retailers to continue selling zombie swords.

The maximum penalty for importing, producing or supplying illegal assault weapons or selling bladed items to people under the age of 18 was extended from six months to two years in prison.