Police stations join zombie knife surrender scheme

It will be illegal to own zombie-style knives and machetes from 24 September

Cambridgeshire police will join a national surrender and compensation scheme for zombie-style knives and machetes.

Drop-off points will be available at Thorpe Wood Police Station in Peterborough and Parkside Police Station in Cambridge from Monday.

Anyone surrendering weapons can apply for compensation from the Home Office worth £10, or more if they can prove the weapon's value is greater.

People are being urged to hand over zombie-style knives and machetes before they become illegal to own from 24 September.

A zombie knife or machete is defined as a bladed weapon more than 20cm (eight inches) long, with a "plain cutting edge and sharp-pointed end that also has either a serrated cutting edge, more than one hole in the blade, or multiple sharp points like spikes".

A new law is set to ban similar zombie-style weapons.

'No place in society'

Weapons can be dropped off at either police station during opening hours, and an appointment is only necessary if surrendering five items or more.

If this is the case, people should call 101 to arrange a time to visit a police station.

To get compensation, owners need to bring a completed form along with them, with the scheme processed by the government rather than the police.

Inspector Karl Secker, from the force, said: "I'd urge people who own zombie-style knives or machetes to make use of this new government scheme.

"These weapons have no place in society and those who choose not to dispose of them run the risk of being prosecuted for owning illegal items."