Knowledge obtained by the BBC below the Freedom of Data Act confirmed that in 2023 the three varieties of weapons have been talked about in additional than 14,000 crimes recorded by 32 police forces in England and Wales.
In 2019, there have been 7,159 offences recorded as involving the massive blades, which rose to 14,195 in 2023.
Practically 10,000 of the offences recorded in 2023 concerned machetes, double the quantity from 5 years earlier than, the broadcaster reported.
This week a ban on proudly owning zombie-style knives and machetes comes into drive, following a four-week amnesty when homeowners have been inspired handy the weapons into police, native authorities or knife crime charities.
The ban is a part of efforts to scale back knife crime, which embody campaigners comparable to actor Idris Elba pushing for the massive blades to be outlawed.
The Authorities plans to additionally ban ninja swords sooner or later.
Right here is all the things we all know concerning the incoming ban.
Zombie knives, below the brand new definition of the legislation, are deemed as knives with a sharpened blade which are longer than 8 inches (20cm).
They may even have a serrated innovative, a couple of gap within the blade, spikes, and greater than two sharp factors within the blade below the brand new legislation phrases.
Zombie knives take their title from the weapons utilized in horror movies involving the undead – and is a time period that dates again to 2011.
When is the ban coming into drive?
Zombie knives have been first banned in 2016 however new definitions designed to outlaw extra blades will take impact in England and Wales on Tuesday September 24.
What would be the sentences for these discovered carrying banned knives?
From Tuesday September 24, police will be capable to seize any such weapons they discover and prosecute the proprietor. Possession of banned weapons, even when simply in a drawer at house, can imply a jail sentence of greater than 4 years.
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