The aim is to stop the circulation of these weapons on the country's roads<\/p>\n
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Dangerous 'zombie' knives and machetes are to be banned under new legislation aimed at stopping the weapons from being on the country's roads.<\/p>\n
The ban, which comes into effect from September, will make it illegal to possess, sell, manufacture or transport the knives in question.<\/p>\n
So-called "zombie" knives are currently defined by the government as a blade with "a cutting edge, a serrated edge and images or words that suggest it is used for violence".<\/p>\n
At the same time, a surrender program is in place so that those who own these "weapons" can surrender them before the law goes into effect without consequence.<\/p>\n
\u201cKnife crime continues to take precious lives and I am determined to put an end to this senseless violence. That's why I've accelerated the ban on zombie-style knives and we're increasing the maximum penalty for selling knives to under-18s. We will continue to invest in youth services which have prevented thousands of violent injuries,\u201d said Home Secretary James Cleverly.<\/p>\n
Popular actor Idris Elba, who leads the Don't Stop Your Future campaign, has put pressure on the government to ban knife weapons.<\/p>\n
\u201cYesterday I met the Home Secretary, James Cleverly and the Leader of the Opposition, Keir Starmer, and the Shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper. I was joined by members of the communities most affected by knife crime and those working tirelessly to end this violence. It was clear from both meetings that there is an appetite from across the political spectrum to work to put an end to this. It is encouraging that they were all open to ideas and collaboration and we are optimistic about what lies ahead. Through this campaign, we will also continue to hold them all accountable and make sure we take action, not just words,\u201d says Idris Elba in a statement through the campaign today.<\/p>\n
Knife crime has risen 77%, from 27,498 in 2015 to 48,716 in the last year at a high cost in young lives.<\/p>\n
Labor criticizes by announcing that "the ban only restricts 'zombie' knives that have a serrated edge, more than one hole in the blade or multiple sharp spikes", leaving out other dangerous knives such as "ninja swords or 'Rambo' knives". \u00bb.<\/p>\n
The ban also does not include types of dangerous blades that are already sold legally \u2013 such as those sold online or illegally.<\/p>\n
\u201cSerious violence is on the rise with gun crime also on the rise, yet the government simply has no control anymore.<\/p>\n
"The Labor Party will restore the rule of law to Britain's streets and our town centers and take urgent action to protect our young people from knife crime," said shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper.<\/p>\n