What is a zombie knife and why have they been banned?

Ross McGuinness
Zombie Knives and machete for sale in a shop window. Blackpool UK Knife Crime UK
It is now illegal to own zombie-style knives and machetes. (Alamy) (Mark Mercer)

A ban on zombie knives and machetes has come into force in England and Wales as part of a government crackdown targeted at saving lives.

According to figures published on Monday, the number of crimes involving zombie knives, machetes or swords has almost doubled in the space of four years.

In the latest death attributed to street violence, a 15-year-old in Woolwich, south-east London was stabbed to death on Sunday in what police said was a "stark and sobering reminder" of the danger of zombie-style knives.

The ban on the weapons, which came into effect on Tuesday, follows a four-week amnesty scheme where owners were encouraged to hand in their knives to keep them off the streets.

Zombie-style knives and machetes are defined as weapons with blades that are more than eight inches (20cm) long, usually with a serrated cutting edge.

Zombie knives, inspired by weapons from zombie movies or TV shows, also have one or more of the following: a serrated cutting edge more than two inches (5cm) long; more than one hole in the blade; spikes or more than two sharp points in the blade.

File photo dated 12/08/16 of examples of 'zombie knives' at a secure police location in Birmingham. Underage teenagers buying knives online remains
Zombie knives were continuing to be sold under a loophole about handle labelling, which has been closed by the new legislation. (PA) (Joe Giddens, PA Images)

They were initially added to the government's list of banned weapons in 2016 but manufacturers have since found ways to design the knives so that they get around the definition in the legislation, eventually leading to the new ban.

From 24 September, it will be illegal to own a zombie knife or a machete, which will include weapons which have a cutting edge, a serrated edge and words or images that imply they can be used for violence.

A loophole that zombie knives could be kept and sold if they did not have images depicting violence on their handles will close with the new legislation.

File photo dated 26/01/24 of a knife bin outside Chelmsford Crown Court in Essex. Those in possession of zombie-style knives and machetes are being urged to hand them in to police stations safely, ahead of a ban on the dangerous weapons. The Government said there will not be any repercussions for those surrendering the potentially dangerous knives safely, while policing minister Dame Diana Johnson urged the public to
Those in possession of zombie-style knives and machetes were given a four-week amnesty to surrender their weapons ahead of the ban. (PA) (Yui Mok, PA Images)

Previously, people could keep and sell the knives if they did not have such images on their handles.

The government said that from Tuesday it would be illegal to own zombie-style knives and machetes, adding them to other banned weapons such as butterfly knives, Samurai swords and push daggers.

A four-week amnesty that ended on Monday allowed anyone who had a zombie knife or machete to hand it to police, the council or anti-knife crime charities without repercussions.

Simon Foster beside the collection of weapons found in various knife bins. A weapon surrender bin in Aston, Birmingham, West Mids, September 19 2024. Release date September 22 2024. Police have revealed the chilling array of deadly weapons seized in just two months - including a samurai sword and a medieval axe. The fearsome arsenal, including zombie knives, was put on display by West Midlands Police as they emptied one of 31 weapon surrender bins. Other dangerous arms featured in the grim haul are hatchets, a terrifying dagger and numerous 2ft-long machetes. There have been a total of 1,118 knives, guns and weapons deposited in the containers across a nine-week period. The force, which is the UK's second largest, has launched its campaign alongside doctors and the families of victims of knife crime. The last time the bins were emptied more than 1,000 knives, guns and other weapons were successfully deposited and later destroyed.
A weapon surrender bin in Aston, Birmingham, Police have revealed the chilling array of deadly weapons seized in just two months - including a samurai sword and a medieval axe. (PA) (Joseph Walshe / SWNS)

Surrender bins were also available for anyone who wanted to hand in their weapon anonymously. The government offered compensation of £10 for each zombie knife surrendered.

Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said anyone found with zombie-style knives and machetes from Tuesday would face time in prison.

Figures published by the BBC on Monday revealed that the number of crimes involving machetes, swords or zombie knives has nearly doubled in four years.

In 2023, the three types of weapons were mentioned in 14,195 crimes recorded by 32 police forces in England and Wales, compared to 2019, when there were 7,159 offences recorded that involved the large blades.

A knife bin outside Chelmsford Crown Court in Essex. Fresh legislation is to be laid in Parliament to tackle zombie-style weapons, with the ban due to come into force in September making it illegal to possess, sell, manufacture or transport the blades. Picture date: Friday January 26, 2024.
A knife bin outside Chelmsford Crown Court in Essex. (PA) (Yui Mok, PA Images)

Almost 10,000 of the offences recorded in 2023 involved machetes, double the number in 2019.

Knife crime rose by 7% in England and Wales in the year to December 2023, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), compared to the previous 12 months, but the total 49,489 offences recorded remained below pre-pandemic levels.

In the year to March 2023, 82% of teenage homicide victims were killed with a knife, compared to 73% in the previous year.

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