Police forces in England and Wales, including Honiton are participating in a government scheme to remove zombie-style knives and machetes from the streets.

The month-long amnesty starts today (Monday August 26). A new law will come into force from Tuesday September 24 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.

Zombie-style knives and Zombie-style machetes are described in law as a bladed article with a plain cutting edge, a sharp pointed end, and a blade of over eight inches in length (in a straight-line distance from the top of the handle to the tip of the blade), which may also have one or more of the following features: A serrated cutting edge, More than one hole in the blade, Spikes and more than two sharp points in the blade
 

The government scheme, which runs until September 22, enables owners of zombie-style knives and machete weapons to surrender them. Anyone surrendering knives that meet the criteria will be eligible for compensation.

Detailed guidance on the kinds of weapons that will become illegal and eligible for surrender and compensation can be found on the government website.

Devon and Cornwall Police has identified multiple police stations to receive surrendered weapons and compensation claims from members of the public.

These stations are: Barnstaple, Bodmin, Bude, Camborne, Charles Cross, Crownhill, Devonport, Exeter, Honiton, Looe, Newquay, Newton Abbott, Penzance, St Austell, Tiverton, Torquay and Truro.

The addresses and opening times for these police stations can be found on the Devon & Cornwall Police website.

Detective chief inspector Steve Fleetwood, knife crime lead for Devon & Cornwall Police said: “Devon and Cornwall region is the one of the safest areas to live with the second lowest overall rate of crime in the country. Knife crime is not a major issue in our region, however we take it very seriously 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 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 knife 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 New law to ban zombie-style knives and machetes - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and read the details.”

Alison Hernandez, police and crime commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “People may not even be aware that it soon becomes illegal for them to own a zombie knife they might have bought years ago – even if they keep it at home.

“I’d urge anyone with a knife that meets the criteria to take this opportunity to surrender it and claim compensation. I’d also urge them to suggest friends and family members take advantage of this opportunity too. That way they can do their bit to maintain Devon and Cornwall as one of the safest police force areas in the country.”

Guidance and information about the scheme, including how to securely and safely package and transport the weapon to the police station, can be read here.

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 us online at – devon-cornwall.police.uk. Your information could help us save a life. 

You can also report information anonymously to the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

If a crime is in progress or a life in danger, always dial 999