A man in Oxford has become one of the first to be charged under a new law banning zombie knives.
Kofie John-Welch, 29, was charged with the possession of an offensive weapon following a search of his home that took place just minutes after the ban came into effect.
Thames Valley Police said this was one of the first instances that the new law has been enacted amid a clampdown on deadly zombie knife possessions in England and Wales.
Crimes involving machetes, swords, and zombie knives have nearly doubled in five years, police figures previously suggested.
Data obtained by the BBC under the Freedom of Information Act showed that in 2023 the three types of weapons were mentioned in more than 14,000 crimes recorded by 32 police forces in England and Wales.
In 2019, 7,159 offences involving large blades were recorded — rising to 14,195 in 2023.
The BBC said nearly 10,000 of the offences recorded in 2023 involved machetes, double the number from five years before.
A ban on owning zombie-style knives and machetes follows a four-week amnesty. Owners were encouraged to hand the weapons to police, local authorities, or knife crime charities.
The ban is part of efforts to reduce knife crime, and campaigners such as actor Idris Elba pushed for the large blades to be outlawed.
The Government plans to ban ninja swords in the future.
Here is everything we know about the zombie knife ban.
What are zombie knives?
These are bladed weapons with:
- a plain cutting edge
- a sharp pointed end, and
- a blade of over eight inches (20 centimetres) 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
These knives are usually made from stainless steel and designed to look menacing, rather than for practical use.
Their appearance resembles that of weapons seen in zombie apocalypse-themed media, contributing to their intimidating nature, which is why they are often linked to violent crime. The ‘zombie’ name is believed to date to 2011.
When did the ban on them come into force?
The ban was introduced in England and Wales at midnight on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.
In 2016, the UK Government introduced legislation banning the sale, import, and possession of zombie knives.
A loophole meaning the weapons could be kept and sold if they did not have images depicting violence on their handles has closed after the Offensive Weapons Act came into effect.
It is now illegal to own specific types of zombie knives and machetes. The law prohibits possessing, selling, manufacturing, and transporting these weapons.
The Government website has more information here.
What are the penalties if you are found with prohibited knives?
People found with these prohibited weapons (even in their drawers at home) could face significant legal penalties, including imprisonment.
The maximum sentence for possession of banned weapons is set to increase from six months to two years.
