Large zombie-style knives handed in before new law

"Zombie-style" knives and machetes will be illegal to own in the UK from 24 September

A number of large-bladed "zombie" knives have been handed in to a Welsh police force before legislation makes them illegal to own.

North Wales Police shared an image of the knives, which were handed in to officers in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, for destruction.

From 23 September, it will be a criminal offence to possess zombie-style knives and machetes in the UK.

An official Home Office "surrender period" will be in place from 26 August to 23 September, during which time financial compensation will be given for each knife handed in.

"Everyone in Caernarfon wants to be Rambo," wrote one commenter on North Wales Police's social media post.

"Bloody ridiculous! It's Caernarfon not the Bronx," wrote another.

Under the scheme, each surrendered weapon will be compensated with £10, unless applicants can prove their item is worth is more than £10.

However, the minimum claim amount is £30, so handing in one or two knives for the standard £10 each will result in no compensation payable.

What are Zombie knives?

North Wales Police has said the knives that will be banned are those which have all of the following:

• a plain cutting edge

• a sharp pointed end

• a blade of over eight inches long

And at least one of:

• a serrated cutting edge over two inches long

• more than one hole in the blade

• spikes

• more than two sharp points in the blade

The changes to The Criminal Justice Act 1988, enacted by the previous Conservative government, will come into force on 24 September.