Zombie knife amnesty launched allowing owners to hand blades with no questions asked ahead of full ban

AN amnesty for zombie knives begins next week, ahead of a ban in September.

Owners of large blades and machetes are being urged to hand the fearsome weapons in at police stations, no questions asked.

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The amnesty for zombie knives begins next week[/caption]

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Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson says ‘too many people have access to weapons’[/caption]

From September 24, zombie-style knives and machetes will be added to a prohibited list of dangerous items, which includes butterfly knives, samurai swords and push daggers.

Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said: “We are offering people the chance to do the right thing — to help make our streets safer and prevent further loss of life.

“Too many people have access to weapons that can lead to devastating, life-changing injuries.

“There is no legitimate need for a weapon of this kind on our streets.

“That is why we will make sure the tightest restrictions are in place to limit their availability.

“We cannot do this alone — political, policing and community leaders must work together.”

People should contact police for advice on how to package knives before handing them in.

Anyone found with a machete or zombie-style knife following the ban will face time in jail.