Machetes and zombie knives could be banned in England and Wales

Machetes and zombie knives could be banned in England and Wales, with people selling them facing up to two years in jail, under government plans to close a legal loophole.

After complaints from police chiefs and MPs that some large, bladed weapons are excluded from current laws, the Home Office will consult the public over plans to ban their ownership and sale.

Certain blades that are ā€œdesigned to look menacingā€ and ā€œwith the intention to threatenā€ are not currently prohibited but would be outlawed under proposed measures, the Home Office said.

Knife crime has increased by 9% in the past year and 34% in the past decade, to 45,000 offences.

This month a judge urged jurors to write to their MPs about the ā€œshockingā€ availability of dangerous weapons online after a man was found guilty of killing an 18-year-old with a 22-inch zombie knife.

Under laws introduced in 2016, police can only confiscate and prosecute possession of zombie knives in private homes if they meet three criteria. The knives must have a cutting edge, a serrated edge and ā€œimages or words that suggest it is to be used for the purpose of violenceā€.

Inspired by horror films, the curved blades with serrated edges are often sold as collector’s items, but police say they are increasingly being carried by criminals.

Machetes have no such markings, while some retailers have been selling zombie knives without any writing or images on them or even packaging that would allow police to seize them.

While machetes and other similar knives can have legitimate uses in gardening and the agricultural sector, the Home Office said criminals were buying, selling and using larger bladed articles as weapons to intimidate and cause others serious harm.

The seven-week public consultation will define which machetes and large knives will be banned, inviting views to ensure proposals are targeted and balanced in order to keep our streets safe, the Home Office said.

The home secretary, Suella Braverman, said: ā€œThe thugs wielding these deadly knives aim to terrorise their victims and the public, and too often even carry out horrific or fatal attacks. They are emboldened by the cowardly idea that carrying these blades inflates their own status and respect.ā€

SOURCE: https://amp-theguardian-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/apr/18/machetes-and-zombie-knives-could-be-banned-in-england-and-wales

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn

Comments are closed.

On Key

Related Posts

Induction into horse racing

The British Racing School Introduction to Racing Residential Course No EXPERIENCE REQUIRED July 10th to 14th – 4 nights 5 day also November 6th to

Future Ready Mentoring Project

Future Ready Fund The Mayor of London’s Sport team, in collaboration with the Violence Reduction Unit, has launched a sport and mentoring intervention program to

Peabody Community Outreach

Youth Unitywill be offering Sports, Music and Support Services to Young People in Thamesmead Moorings area every Thursday evening from 3.30pm Youth Unity, in partnership

Football4Impact Phase 2

FOOTBALL4iMPACT is an international non-profit organisation that uses football (soccer) as a tool for social change. The organisation aims to promote social inclusion, gender equality,