Intimidating ‘zombie’ machetes are to be banned
‘Zombie’ machete crackdown: Owning or selling double-edged serrated chopping blades will be made illegal in battle against gang culture
- It will soon be illegal to sell or own the double-edged, serrated chopping blade
Intimidating ‘zombie’ machetes are to be banned as part of a huge crackdown on violent gang culture.
It will soon be illegal to own or sell the double-edged, serrated chopping blades, that have become popular amongst criminals due to their threatening appearance.
The new offence will be introduced for anyone possessing the blade ‘with the intention to endanger life or cause fear or violence’.
The Home Office has stated that the maximum penalty for importing, manufacturing, possessing, or selling weapons will be a two-year sentence.
Policing minister Chris Philp said the newly-prohibited weapons ‘serve no purpose but to inflate criminal egos and endanger lives’, adding that there is ‘no reason to own them’.
This shocking photo shows the moment a young man waves around a machete at Notting Hill carnival
Intimidating ‘zombie’ machetes are to be banned as part of a huge crackdown on violent gang culture. Pictured: Examples of ‘zombie knives’
“He stated that the reason for the ban on these knives and the implementation of stricter sentencing is to provide reassurance to our communities that those who engage in violent criminal behavior will receive the appropriate punishments they deserve, ultimately leading to lives being saved.”
The ban on weapons that ‘are not suitable for today’s society’ was positively received by Steel Warriors, an anti-knife crime charity.
The Home Office announced that the police will now have the authority to confiscate and eliminate any knives discovered on private premises if there are valid reasons to suspect that the blade will be utilized in a significant criminal act.
The ban follows a string of similar announcements made by a succession of home secretaries in recent years.
The measure was put forward by the present Government in April and it will be made into law ‘when Parliament permits’ after a period of public consultation.
The possession of so-called ‘zombie’ knives, currently defined by the Government as a blade with ‘a cutting edge, a serrated edge and images or words suggesting it is used for violence’, is already illegal.
Under the new measures, the Home Office said the definition will include any bladed weapon more than eight inches long with a plain-cutting edge and sharp pointed end that also has either a serrated cutting edge, more than one hole in the blade or multiple sharp points like spikes.
The Sentencing Council will be requested to review and potentially revise guidelines regarding the possession of bladed articles and offensive weapons, with the aim of treating these offenses as more severe compared to the possession of non-prohibited weapons.
Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, expressed her belief that the recently banned weapons should have been prohibited many years earlier.
The newly banned weapons, according to Policing Minister Chris Philp, have no purpose other than to boost the egos of criminals and put lives at risk.
The Home Office has stated that certain exceptions will be granted for “genuine items” like historically significant objects and handmade products, to prevent any adverse impact on the antiques industry.
The aim is for the modifications to address a loophole in the ban on ‘zombie knives’ that was implemented in 2016. This loophole has allowed certain retailers to sell these hazardous weapons by not removing specific prohibited characteristics.
Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, expressed her approval of the recent decision to ban certain weapons, stating that they should have been prohibited much earlier.
She proceeded to allege that the Government had not succeeded in addressing the deficiencies in the existing laws.
Commander Stephen Clayman, the lead on knife crime for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, expressed that the suggestions would provide effective strategies to address knife crime, as long as they are implemented correctly.
Ms Cooper stated that the Conservatives have made a promise to ban zombie knives for the sixth time in the span of seven years. She expressed her disappointment in the Tories for their consistent lack of effectiveness and delay in addressing this grave and hazardous criminal issue.
Mr. Philp stood up for the plans in April, despite criticism that they were insufficient and came too late. These plans will be implemented in both England and Wales.
Sarah Jones, the shadow policing minister, expressed her belief that these actions were a diversionary tactic to shift attention away from the government’s terrible track record. However, Mr. Philp argued that these measures would contribute to further efforts in addressing knife crime, building upon the Offensive Weapons Act of 2019.
According to data from the Office for National Statistics, the number of individuals who lost their lives due to knife-related incidents in England and Wales during the period of 2021/22 reached the highest level in 76 years.
Approximately 40% or 282 cases of homicides involved the use of a knife or sharp object during the period leading up to March 2022. Among the victims, there were 51 teenagers ranging from 13 to 19 years old.
