People who currently possess zombie-style knives and machetes should hand them in to police before the ban takes effect next month. #ZombieKnivesBan
From 24 September, legislation passed by the Conservatives will ban these weapons. The ban will take effect while they were still in power.
People in England and Wales can surrender these items to police stations from 26 August to 23 September. They can also claim compensation during this time.
Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said the ban is the first step in the plan to halve knife crime in a decade. It will be followed by efforts to outlaw ninja swords.
Participants in the surrender scheme should contact their designated police station for advice on packaging and safely bringing in the weapons.
Surrender bins will also be available for anyone who wants to remain anonymous.
Those who give up their weapons freely during that time period will not be arrested or face prosecution, the government said.
Zombie-style knives and machetes have blades longer than eight inches (20 cm) and usually feature a serrated cutting edge.
The government added them to the list of prohibited weapons in 2016. However, police have struggled with knives designed to bypass that definition.
A loophole let people keep and sell these weapons if they lacked violent images on their handles. The Offensive Weapons Act will close this loophole next month. #ZombieKnivesBan
According to the government, anyone found with zombie-style knives and machetes following the ban will face jail time.
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