As of 24 September 2024, changes to the Criminal Justice Act 1988 will make it illegal to possess ‘zombie style’ knives and machetes.

As a result of the change, which is supported by the NPCC Knife Crime Working Group, it will also be against the law to manufacture, import, sell or supply these items.

Ahead of the change in legislation, the government is running a UK-wide amnesty – which will run until Monday 23 September 2024.

Anyone who currently has any of these items should be encouraged to hand this in at their nearest designated police station. If, after 24 September, you are found in possession of one of these knives or machetes, you could be prosecuted.

In Derbyshire, you can hand these into the enquiry offices of Chesterfield North Divisional Headquarters, Beetwell Street, Chesterfield, S40 1QP.

The Government is also running a compensation scheme during this amnesty. Find out if the items you are handing in qualify for the scheme on the GOV.UK (opens in a new window) website.

Definition of a ‘zombie style’ knife

A zombie style knife is a bladed weapon with:

• A plain cutting edge
• A sharp pointed end, and
• A blade of over eight inches long

Which also has one or more of the following:

• A serrated cutting edge over two inches long
• More than one hole in the blade
• Spikes
• More than two sharp points in the blade