More than 1,000 zombie knives surrendered

A new law banning the weapons came into force today

More than 1,000 zombie knives and machetes have been surrendered to one police force as new legislation banning them becomes law.

Avon and Somerset Police said the weapons had been handed in to 15 surrender sites across the region and urged people who still had them to turn them in.

Zombie-style knives and machetes are defined as weapons with blades over eight inches (20cm) in length, and usually have a serrated cutting edge.

Ch Insp Mike Vass said he was "pleased to see so many people handing in these dangerous weapons".

He added that a "large number" had come from one business "preventing them from potentially falling into the wrong hands and causing harm".

The weapons were added to the list of prohibited weapons under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 on Tuesday, making it illegal to possess, sell, or manufacture them.

Anyone caught with them is now liable to face prosecution.

To help the public comply with the new law, the Home Office opened a surrender and compensation scheme, through which people could safely hand over the weapons at local police stations.

Ch Insp Vass added: "We shouldn’t be seeing these types of weapons in the hands of young people in our communities, we are committed to ensuring anyone in possession of these either face the appropriate prosecutions or know how and where to safely surrender them as soon as possible.”