Latest news Great Britain bans machetes and "zombie" knives

Just last weekend, another 15-year-old was killed by a stabbing weapon in London. A ban on particularly long and martial-looking blades is intended to put a stop to the rampant knife violence.

Long, curved and serrated blades: From this week, machetes and so-called zombie knives will be banned in the UK. The government in London wants to put a stop to the rampant knife violence in the country.

According to the ban introduced by the previous Conservative government, the possession, manufacture, transportation and sale of so-called statement knives will become criminal offences punishable by imprisonment. The term "statement knives" refers to particularly ornate or large stabbing and slashing weapons that are favored by criminal gangs for reasons of prestige.

According to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), knives or other sharp objects were used as a weapon in 43% of all homicides in England and Wales in the twelve months to March 2024.

Victims and perpetrators are often young people

As reported by the BBC, 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 people, often take place in the milieu of criminal gangs. Just last weekend, a 15-year-old was stabbed to death in south-east London.

Actor Idris Elba ("Luther") in particular had campaigned for stricter legislation and prevention. Prime Minister Keir Starmer had declared knife violence a national crisis.

As part of an initiative recently announced by Starmer and Elba, experts are to help clarify why young people are drawn into knife violence. In the weeks before the ban came into force, gun owners were called upon to voluntarily hand in their knives and machetes. Compensation was even offered in some cases.

SDA