A person in Oxford has change into one of many first to be charged beneath a brand new legislation banning zombie knives.
Kofie John-Welch, 29, was charged with the possession of an offensive weapon following a search of his residence that happened simply minutes after the ban got here into impact.
Thames Valley Police mentioned this was one of many first situations that the brand new legislation has been enacted amid a clampdown on lethal zombie knife possessions in England and Wales.
Knowledge obtained by the BBC beneath the Freedom of Data Act confirmed that in 2023 the three kinds of weapons have been talked about in additional than 14,000 crimes recorded by 32 police forces in England and Wales.
In 2019, 7,159 offences involving giant blades have been recorded — rising to 14,195 in 2023.
The BBC mentioned almost 10,000 of the offences recorded in 2023 concerned machetes, double the quantity from 5 years earlier than.
A ban on proudly owning zombie-style knives and machetes follows a four-week amnesty. House owners have been inspired handy the weapons to police, native authorities, or knife crime charities.
The ban is a part of efforts to scale back knife crime, and campaigners akin to actor Idris Elba pushed for the big blades to be outlawed.
Actor Idris Elba attends a knife crime summit with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (not pictured) at Downing Road, London, on September 9, 2024
by way of REUTERS
The Authorities plans to ban ninja swords sooner or later.
Right here is every thing we all know in regards to the zombie knife ban.
These are bladed weapons with:
- a plain leading edge
- a pointy pointed finish, and
- a blade of over eight inches (20 centimetres) lengthy
Which additionally has a number of of the next:
- a serrated leading edge over two inches lengthy
- a couple of gap within the blade
- spikes
- greater than two sharp factors within the blade
These knives are normally produced from stainless-steel and designed to look menacing, slightly than for sensible use.
Their look resembles that of weapons seen in zombie apocalypse-themed media, contributing to their intimidating nature, which is why they’re typically linked to violent crime. The ‘zombie’ identify is believed so far to 2011.
When did the ban on them come into pressure?
The ban was launched in England and Wales at midnight on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.
In 2016, the UK Authorities launched laws banning the sale, import, and possession of zombie knives.
A loophole which means the weapons could possibly be saved and bought if they didn’t have photographs depicting violence on their handles has closed after the Offensive Weapons Act got here into impact.
It’s now unlawful to personal particular kinds of zombie knives and machetes. The legislation prohibits possessing, promoting, manufacturing, and transporting these weapons.
The Authorities web site has extra data right here.
What are the penalties if you’re discovered with prohibited knives?
Folks discovered with these prohibited weapons (even of their drawers at residence) might face vital authorized penalties, together with imprisonment.
The utmost sentence for possession of banned weapons is about to extend from six months to 2 years.
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