Crime Solicitors

From Thursday, 18 August, an amendment to the Criminal Justice Act 1988 will ban across Britain the sale, manufacture, rental or importation of knives referred to as zombie knives, zombie killer knives and zombie slayer knives.

The knives can have cutting blades of up to 25 inches, have a serrated edge – and include images or words which “glamorise” violence.

The Home Office will communicate the ban in England and Wales to frontline border officers – and Border Force will continue enforcing the law around the importation of dangerous weapons, including zombie knives, into the UK.

Following discussions between the UK government and Northern Ireland Executive, Minister of Justice Claire Sugden has also confirmed that she will take forward the necessary action to create legislation to ban zombie knives in Northern Ireland.

The new law comes in addition to government action to address knife crime, through an agreement with retailers who have committed to regular staff training, as well as safely displaying and securely packaging knives – and raising public awareness of age restrictions, with robust age-verification checks for knife sales in-store and online.

So far this year, a total of 13 police forces have undertaken co-ordinated action against knife crime – with further weeks of action planned for later in 2016.

The co-ordinated response by police has resulted in 401 arrests and a total of 2,111 weapons being taken off the street – and has involved targeting habitual knife carriers, weapon sweeps, test purchases of knives from identified retailers and use of surrender bins.

Minister for Vulnerability, Safeguarding and Countering Extremism, Sarah Newton, said:

“This government will act wherever necessary to cut crime and keep our communities safe.

“Zombie killer knives glamorise violence and cause devastating damage –
they have no place whatsoever in our society.

“We committed to banning the sale, manufacture and importation of these dangerous weapons – with the ban now becoming law, we are delivering on our commitment.

“Anyone caught making or selling zombie knives now faces up to four years in prison.”

National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Knife Enabled Crime, Chief Constable Alf Hitchcock, added:

“Zombie knives are absolutely horrific weapons – forces are determined to reduce the harm caused by these and all other dangerous weapons.

“There is no place for knife crime within society – and this ban is further commitment to keeping communities safe.”

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers can advise at any stage of a charge involving knife crime, and are available 24/7 365 days a year – a Duncan Lewis crime lawyer is usually able to reach a police station for interview under caution within an hour.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and in most major cities – and Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of Legal Aid criminal defence lawyers.

For expert legal advice on criminal charges involving knife crime, call Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Solicitors 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.