Arrests made under new zombie knife law

It is now an offence to possess so-called zombie knives

Two people have been arrested and weapons seized from a house under new "zombie knife" laws.

New legislation came into force on 24 September, making it an imprisonable offence to own, make, transport or sell a wide range of the "statement" knives favoured by criminal gangs.

Police found weapons, which included a number of the zombie-style knives and a crossbow, in a home on Langdale Terrace, Hetton-le-Hole, Sunderland, after reports of anti-social behaviour.

A 55-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon.

The pair have since been bailed pending further inquires.

Northumbria Police previously issued a plea for anyone owning machetes or zombie knives to hand them over at police stations ahead of the new law coming into force.

The haul of items seized from the property at Langdale Terrace in Hetton-le-Hole

Northumbria Police's lead for knife crime Ch Supt Joanne Park-Simmons has urged anyone still possessing zombie-style knives or machetes to come forward.

He said: "If you know of anyone who is unlawfully in possession of zombie-style knives or machetes, we urge you to come forward with information as soon as possible.

"Anyone found to be in possession of these weapons should expect to face serious consequences, which could include time in prison."

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Susan Dungworth added: "This ban has been a long time coming and here in Northumbria we are doing everything we can in our power to prevent, tackle and reduce knife crime - and to keep people safe."