Imprisonment threatened

England bans machetes and “zombie” knives

(Bild: stock.adobe.com/Евгений Медведев)

Machetes and so-called zombie knives (i.e. knives with long, curved and serrated blades) have been banned in the UK since the beginning of this week. The government in London wants to put a stop to the rampant knife violence in the country.

According to the ban introduced by the previous Conservative government, the possession, manufacture, transportation and sale of so-called zombie knives (also known as "statement" knives) is a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment.

The term "statement knives" refers to particularly ornate or large stabbing and slashing weapons that are favored by criminal gangs for reasons of prestige.

Many homicides with knives as the murder weapon
According to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), knives or other sharp objects were used as the murder weapon in 43% of all homicides in England and Wales in the twelve months to March 2024.

As reported by the BBC, the number of police reports mentioning machetes, swords or 'zombie' knives has doubled in the past five years. The crimes, in which both victims and perpetrators are often young people, often take place in the milieu of criminal gangs. Just last weekend, a 15-year-old was stabbed to death in south-east London.

Knife violence declared a national crisis
Actor Idris Elba ("Luther") in particular had campaigned for stricter legislation and prevention. Prime Minister Keir Starmer had declared knife violence a national crisis.

As part of an initiative recently announced by Starmer and Elba, experts are to help clarify why young people in particular are drawn into knife violence. In the weeks before the ban came into force, gun owners were called upon to voluntarily hand in their knives and machetes. Compensation was even offered in some cases.