West Yorkshire Police seized weapons from a house in Leeds, the force took to social media to remind people it was an offence to possess an offensive weapon in your own home.
The law came into force in July 14, 2021, and could put you behind bars for up to 51 weeks if found guilty. It is a summary only offence and can be dealt with in Magistrates Court.
Leeds cops were baffled after they found five knives designed to be used as a weapon - one of them was a samurai sword - and a couple of knuckle dusters.
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The baffled cops took to Facebook to air their grievances and disappointment, asking their followers a rhetorical question about the law change.
They said: "These items were recently found during a search of a home in Leeds. Did you know that the law changed in July 2021, making it an offence to possess an offensive weapon in your own home?"
The law was a provision added to the Offensive Weapons Act 2019. The provision states: “Any person who possesses a weapon, to which this section applies, in private is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction in England and Wales, to imprisonment to a term not exceeding 51 weeks, to a fine or to both.” (s.46(2)(1A)(a))
Offensive weapons come in three categories:
- An item whose main use or purpose is to be used as a weapon (e.g. a bayonet)
- Items adapted for use for causing injury (e.g. baseball bat with nails in)
- Items carried by a person with intention to hurt another (tyre iron or baseball bat if the intent is to hurt another person with it)
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