One week left to surrender ‘zombie-style’ blades for compensation — including at Newark Police Station — before they become illegal

There is one week left for zombie-style knife owners to surrender their weapons before they become illegal.

‘Zombie-style’ knives and machetes will be made illegal to keep in private anywhere in the UK from Tuesday, September 24, under the updated Offensive Weapons Act, and until Monday, September 23, they can be handed in to Nottinghamshire police for money as part of a surrender and compensation scheme.

The scheme specifically applies to weapons over eight inches long with either a serrated edge, multiple holes in the blade, spikes, or more than two sharp points — like Rambo knives.

Such blades are similar to zombie knives, which are already banned in the UK, but don’t contain the specific wording on them needed to make them illegal under current legislation.

The standard compensation amount offered for each weapon will be £10, although applicants could potentially claim more if they provide a receipt showing its value exceeds that.

People will only be able to claim compensation during the scheme and only by surrendering the weapons at one of the police stations in Nottinghamshire listed below:

• Newark Police Station — NG24 1LJ

• Mansfield Police Station — NG18 2HQ

• Central Police Station, based at Byron House — NG1 4BH

• Oxclose Lane Police Station — NG5 6FZ

• Radford Road Police Station — NG7 5GX

Anyone wanting to take part in the surrender and compensation scheme must first complete a form via the police website.

Chief Inspector Karl Thomas, Nottinghamshire Police’s knife crime lead, said: “We’re pleased to be able to support this national initiative to help rid our communities of dangerous knives and offensive weapons.

“Zombie knives have been illegal in the UK for several years now, although we are aware of the existence of similar weapons that aren’t covered by the legislation.

“It’s important owners of these ‘zombie-style’ knives and machetes know this is soon going to change, and that it is in their best interests to make the most of this initiative.

“We’ve had some really good successes with our knife amnesty bin offering in the past, where weapons can be dropped off at our stations without any fear of reprisal.

“In a similar fashion, I’d reassure anyone thinking of handing over weapons to police as part of the surrender scheme that this isn’t a trick, and they won’t get into trouble if they do so.

“Anything we can do to take more bladed weapons off our streets and away from our communities is certainly okay with us, so we’re happy to be involved in this Home Office-led campaign.”

Zombie-style blades can be handed over at any station, but compensation can only be claimed under the scheme by surrendering them at one of the designated stations.

Before transporting the weapons to a police station, people must firstly ensure that the blades are wrapped up safely and placed in a sealed bag or box.

Butterfly knives, zombie knives, samurai swords, knuckledusters and friction lock batons are among a range of weapons already illegal to keep in private under the Offensive Weapons Act.

Anyone wanting to dispose of any of these, or any other unwanted blades including kitchen knives can do so by putting them in any of the four amnesty bins.

These are available to use all-year round and are inside Newark and Mansfield’s police stations, as well ones in Radford Road, Hyson Green, and Oxclose Lane, Bestwood.