Zombie knives have long been a controversial subject when it comes to the problem of knife crime in the UK, and may soon be banned.
Some blades that are ‘designed to look menacing’ yet are not currently banned, but would be made illegal under new plans in a bid to close legal loopholes and clampdown on knife crime.
The use of zombie knives have been heavily criticised by a number of previous Home Secretaries, after an increased use by criminals.
So, what actually is a zombie knife? Were they not banned already? What are ministers doing to claim down on zombie knives?
Read on below for everything you need to about the dangerous blades and what is being done to prevent their use by criminals.
Pictured: some examples of different zombie knives, varying in length from a long blade to shorter styles
What is a zombie knife?
Named after the knives that are often used by characters in zombie films, so-called zombie knives have a long, menacing blade
Often featuring both a straight edge and a serrated one, they have become notorious for use in connection to criminal activity and violence.
Because of their use by criminals, or gangs associated with criminal activity, they may also be customised with gory or intimidating words and imagery.
Are zombie knives illegal?
Some machetes and other knives can have ‘legitimate uses’, such as those used for gardening, agriculture or culinary purposes.
This complicates legislation around knives, as it means certain blades can be kept at home and remain unseized by the police.
Currently, this means that even if police find a machete or other legal blade inside someone’s residence and they believe the items could be used for violent or criminal activity, they have no lawful right to seize a blade.
It is also illegal to use any knife or weapon in a threatening way, carry most knives in public without a ‘good reason’ such as for work purposes, or to sell most knives or any weapons to anyone under the age of 18.
An adult found guilty of carrying a knife or weapon illegally faces a maximum penalty of either four years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. If convicted of carrying a knife or weapon illegally more than once, they will receive a prison sentence, according to iNews.
Zombie knives are already included in the list of banned knives, meaning it is illegal to possess them, bring them into the UK, sell or hire them out or lend them to someone.
But this only applies to the weapons which meet the three criteria: cutting edge, serrated edge and words or images that imply they are to be used for violence.
How are ministers clamping down on knife crime?
In 2016, Theresa May, who was home secretary at the time, the government said that legislation would be introduced to outlaw zombie knives.
Later that year it announced a ban on the sale, importation and manufacture of zombie knives across England and Wales.
When Amber Rudd followed in 2018, the government said a new Offensive Weapons Bill would make it illegal to possess certain offensive weapons such as zombie knives in private.
The bill received royal assent in 2019, prompting the Government to say that the Offensive Weapons Act would also prohibit the sale of bladed products to a residential address without age verification.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman (pictured) is the latest to voice her concerns about ‘deadly’ zombie knives
During his stint as Home Secretary, Sajid Javid said the laws would give police ‘extra powers to seize dangerous weapons and ensure knives are less likely to make their way onto the streets’, according to BBC News.
And with Priti Patel at the helm in 2021, the Home Office said owners of zombie knives and knuckledusters, and some other weapons, could be sentenced to time in jail if found possessing them, under the Offensive Weapons Act.
Current Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: ‘The thugs wielding these deadly knives aim to terrorise their victims and the public, and too often even carry out horrific or fatal attacks.
‘They are emboldened by the cowardly idea that carrying these blades inflates their own status and respect.’
