The Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Jane Mudd, has backed a call to surrender zombie-style knives and machetes before they are banned later this month.
From 24 September, it will be illegal to own zombie-style knives and machetes. They will be added to the list of dangerous prohibited items already banned, including zombie knives, butterfly knives, Samurai swords and push daggers.
These are bladed weapons 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
Ahead of the ban, Gwent Police is taking part in the UK Government’s surrender and compensation scheme. This allows people to hand in knives that fall within the new legislation at police stations, in return for an application for compensation.
Police and Crime Commissioner Jane Mudd said: “There really is no good reason for most people to have these kinds of knives and I welcome this new legislation that will make owning them a crime.
“I am deeply committed to tackling knife crime in Gwent. In my former role as council leader, I was proud to work with Gwent Police to bring the Knife Angel to our communities, driving home its powerful anti-violence message.
“Now, as Police and Crime Commissioner, I fund the charity Fearless, which visits schools across the region, speaking to children and young people about these issues and educating them about the dangers of carrying knives and what this could mean for themselves, their friends and their families.
“We must do all we can to discourage children and young people from carrying knives of any kind and this new legislation is another step in the right direction. If anyone does have a zombie-style knife or machete then please surrender it to Gwent Police and help to make our communities safer.”
Knives can be surrendered at the following stations until Monday 23 September:
- Newport central police station: 8am – 5pm
- Blackwood police station: 9am – 4pm
- Cwmbran police station: 9am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm
- Monmouth police station: 9am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm
- Ebbw Vale police station: 9am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm