Crime | Posted on August 27th, 2024 | return to news
Dorset and BCP residents urged to surrender zombie knives to police
The government scheme runs until 23 September, with a new law coming into force the following day prohibiting ‘zombie knives’ and machetes.
People owning zombie-style knives and machete weapons are asked to surrender the items to Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth police stations in a government scheme which runs until 23 September.
A new law will come into force from Tuesday 24 September making it illegal to own certain styles of ‘zombie’ knives and machetes. The legislation is aimed at removing specific types of knives from circulation and prohibits the sale and importation of knives which meet the criteria.
Anyone surrendering knives that meet the criteria will be eligible for compensation.
Superintendent Andrew Bell, knife crime lead for Dorset Police said: “We take knife crime very seriously in Dorset and will continue to educate the public and aim to remove knife crime from the streets.
“This month of surrender builds on the foundation laid by the Offensive Weapons Act 2019, broadening the classification of what is a ‘zombie-style knife’ to a more operationally useful definition, which should help officers to identify and seize more weapons that could be used in the commission of violent crime on the streets.
“Possession of banned weapons, even if just in a drawer at home, can mean a prison sentence of more than four years. The new law is that any knives over eight inches in length and with one or more serrated edges are now illegal, so, if you own a knife which you think might meet this criteria, please visit: www.gov.uk/government/news/new-law-to-ban-zombie-style-knives-and-machetes.”
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: “Tackling knife crime in Dorset is a priority and I want to assure residents that work is relentless to ensure our current low rate of knife crime remains that way.
“However, knife crime and the issues which surround it, cannot be solved through policing alone. That’s why surrender schemes such as this, along with robust enforcement, strong partnership work, early intervention and education, and the help of the public, are so vital in our fight to tackle this critical issue and remove dangerous weapons from the streets.
“I welcome any change in the law that will help stop this pernicious crime from taking place; we must work together; we must put the people we serve first and do all we can collectively to stop the illegal use of knives in our society.
“I would strongly encourage anyone in possession of these weapons to surrender them as part of this scheme. It is the responsibility of all of us to ensure young people are clear that carrying a knife only puts them in more danger of getting seriously hurt or even worse. Help us tackle this devastating crime by doing the right thing.”
If you have any information about knife crime in your area or are concerned about someone you know who carries a knife, please report it to Dorset Police using the intelligence portal. Your information could save a life.
You can also report information anonymously to the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
If a crime is in progress or a life in danger, always dial 999.
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