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NEW LAW: Zombie-style knives and machetes now banned

Published:

16 October 2024

Given the worrying epidemic of knife crime sweeping across the UK, zombie-style knives and machetes were banned on 24/09/24 under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment, Surrender and Compensation) Order 2024.

Under the new Act, now in force, it is illegal to own zombie knives and machetes. The new law prohibits the possession, sale, manufacture, or transport of such items.

The maximum sentence for possession of such items is now set to increase from six months to two years imprisonment.

Zombie knives are bladed weapons with a plain cutting edge, a sharp pointed end and a blade of over eight inches long, usually with a serrated cutting edge over two inches long, more than one hole in the blade, spikes and more than two sharp points in the blade.

The Government is determined to confront and tackle knife crime with other equally menacing weapons being considered, such as ninja swords.

For further details:

The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment, Surrender and Compensation) Order 2024 (legislation.gov.uk)

Zombie knives and machetes officially banned from today | Cleveland Police

Ban on Zombie knives to come into force – Voice Online (voice-online.co.uk)