Samurai sword and medieval axe among hundreds of deadly weapons seized

by · Mail Online

Hundreds of deadly weapons have been confiscated in a new police clampdown - including a Samurai sword and a medieval axe.

Zombie knives are also among the seized arsenal which has now been put on display by West Midlands Police after officers emptied one of 31 weapon surrender bins.

Other dangerous arms featured in the grim haul are hatchets, a dagger and numerous 2ft-long machetes.

There have been a total of 1,118 knives, guns and weapons deposited in the containers across a nine-week period, police announced.

The force, which is the UK's second largest, has launched a new anti-weapons campaign alongside doctors and the families of victims of knife crime. 

Hundreds of deadly weapons have been confiscated in a new police clampdown - including a Samurai sword and a medieval axe
Zombie knives are also among the seized arsenal which has now been put on display by West Midlands Police after officers emptied one of 31 weapon surrender bins
Other weapons included in the haul are hatchets, a dagger and numerous 2ft-long machetes
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster is pictured with one of the zombie knives which has been seized 

The last time the bins were emptied, more than 1,000 knives, guns and other accessories were successfully deposited and later destroyed.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster said: 'They are all opened every three months and we've been opening one in Aston.

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Amnesty and compensation scheme for people with 'zombie-style' knives and machetes begins

'I think people do appreciate the surrender bins. People understand it is an important initiative.

'They are popular - we often have calls for local communities to locate them and of course we do consider all requests.'

Their action comes after an amnesty and compensation scheme for 'zombie-style' knives and machetes started last month - with owners urged to surrender their weapons ahead of a ban coming in.

The Home Office drive is now in operation at police stations across England and Wales after starting at midnight today, and will run until 11.59pm tomorrow.

Those who safely hand over the knives before it becomes illegal to own them on Tuesday will not face repercussions, the Government has confirmed.

The weapons will then be added to the list of dangerous items already banned, including butterfly knives, Samurai swords and push daggers.

Anyone caught with a zombie-style knife or machete after this time faces prison.

If someone can show evidence of the knife's value, such as a purchase receipt, they will get the full value for the blade because they were bought when the blades were legal to own.

Those who return a knife with no proof of purchase will only be able to receive £10 per blade.

These are among the weapons placed in a 'surrender bin' in the Aston district of Birmingham
West Midlands Police have revealed some of deadly arms confiscated within just two months
Some 1,118 knives, guns and weapons were put in the containers across a nine-week period
West Midlands PCC Simon Foster described the knife amnesty as an 'important initiative

To receive the compensation, they must surrender three knives or more - with the maximum payout in this case being £30.

The public can also dispose of the blades using surrender bins by contacting their local police, council or an anti-knife crime charity.

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Owners are being encouraged to contact their designated police station first for advice on how to safely package up any weapons, such as ensuring they are 'wrapped up in a sealed bag or box'.

Those who are in ownership of a zombie knife have been urged to be cautions, given that handling them openly can result in being charged - even if they do so at a police station.

Changes to the Criminal Justice Act 1988 will add 'zombie-style' knives and 'zombie style' machetes to the list of prohibited offensive weapons.

Anyone who has a weapon which meets the criteria can surrender it at their nearest designated police station under the scheme, with compensation paid by the Home Office.

'Zombie-style' knives are named after weapons used by the characters in zombie films and TV shows, such as The Walking Dead.

Owners are being encouraged to contact their designated police station first for advice on how to safely package up any weapons, such as ensuring they are 'wrapped up in a sealed bag or box'.

Those who are in ownership of a zombie knife have been urged to be cautions, given that handling them openly can result in being charged - even if they do so at a police station.

Changes to the Criminal Justice Act 1988 will add 'zombie-style' knives and 'zombie style' machetes to the list of prohibited offensive weapons.

Simon Foster (right) is pictured with Weapon Surrender managing director Anthony Chisholm
Mr Foster said of the surrender bins: 'They are popular - we often have calls for local communities to locate them and of course we do consider all requests'
West Midland Police's action comes after an amnesty and compensation scheme for 'zombie-style' knives and machetes started last month - with owners urged to surrender their weapons
The Home Office drive is now in operation at police stations across England and Wales after starting at midnight today, and will run until 11.59pm tomorrow

Anyone who has a weapon which meets the criteria can surrender it at their nearest designated police station under the scheme, with compensation paid by the Home Office.

'Zombie-style’ knives are different to traditional 'zombie knives', which were banned in 2016.

Zombie-style knives do not have the same distinct images or threatening wording that incites violence, but police have identified that they are increasingly being used by criminals.

This comes after the 2016 ban when some retailers exploited the loophole to keep selling the weapons but evading the law.