Owners of ‘zombie-style’ knives or machetes in Nuneaton and Bedworth are being encouraged to hand them over with an amnesty taking place across the county.
Those who surrender these weapons will be able to apply for compensation from the Home Office of a standard amount of £10, although they may be able to claim for more if they can demonstrate that the weapon’s value is greater than £10.
The definition of a zombie-style knife or machete is 'any bladed weapon over eight inches in length with a plain cutting edge and sharp pointed end that also has either a serrated cutting edge, more than one hole in the blade, or multiple sharp points like spikes'.
Weapons can be surrendered at any police station, but in order for Warwickshire residents to receive compensation, they must be handed in at one of the following stations:
- Nuneaton Police Station, Warwickshire Justice Centre, Vicarage Street, Nuneaton, CV11 4J
- Rugby Police Station, Newbold Road, Rugby, CV21 2DH
- Leamington Police Station, Warwickshire Justice Centre, Newbold Terrace, Leamington Spa, CV32 4EL
- Stratford Police Station, Rother Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6RD
This amnesty follows a national change in legislation that prohibits the sale, production, and importation of zombie knives in England and Wales and runs until Monday, 23 September 2024. The following day, 24 September, the zombie-style knife ban will come into effect.
Chief Supt. Emma Bastone said:
“There is no good reason for anyone to keep one of these zombie-style weapons in their home.
“They have no cultural, historic, artistic, or practical value, and their implied purpose is generally for intimidation or harm.
“We accept that there are members of our communities who may have purchased them and who should now realise that this was an error.
“Come forward now, and the Home Office will compensate you; if our officers find them later, it will not go well for you.”
Cllr Chris Watkins, Leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said:
“We would like to endorse the comments of Supt. Bastone and encourage owners of these types of knives and machetes to hand them in as soon as possible.
“We are committed to making Nuneaton and Bedworth safe for our residents and visitors to our borough and will wholeheartedly support any initiatives that will help us do this.’’