Since the beginning of this week, machetes and so-called zombie knives (knives with long, curved and serrated blades) have been banned in Great Britain. The government in London wants to put an end to the rampant knife violence in the country.
Under the ban introduced by the previous Conservative government, the possession, manufacture, transport and sale of so-called zombie knives (also known as “statement” knives) become criminal offences punishable by prison sentences.
The term ‘statement knife’ refers to highly decorated or large stabbing and cutting weapons favored by criminal gangs for prestige reasons.
Many murders with knives as murder weapons
According to figures from the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS), knives or other sharp objects were used as a murder weapon in 43 per cent of all murders in England and Wales in the 12 months to March 2024.
As the BBC reported, 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, often take place in the milieu of criminal gangs. Just this 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 campaigned for tougher legislation and prevention in particular. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared knife violence a national crisis.
A recent initiative announced by Starmer and Elba aims to use experts to shed light on why young people in particular are drawn to knife violence. In the weeks before the ban came into force, gun owners were asked to voluntarily hand in their knives and machetes, with compensation offered in some cases.
Source: Krone
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