Zombie knives and machetes are still available to purchase online in the UK despite a UK ban that came into force in September banning their possession or sale.
An investigation by the BBC has revealed that the long-bladed weapons are listed by several online sellers.
The broadcaster purchased two 18-inch machetes from one for £19.99 each. Its investigation found that weapons – including a 10-inch Defender Xtreme Hunting Combat Knife and a 20-inch Fantasy Master Skull Crusher – could be easily be purchased from US and wholesale websites, at £34.99 and £60 respectively,
However, a ban outlawing these dangerous machetes and knives in the UK came into force from September 24.
Rishi Sunak first proposed these laws last year, and they were brought in by Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government after the election. These laws make it unlawful to own, distribute, produce or transport the weapons.
Before the formal surrender and compensation plan being introduced in the summer, the government invited anyone in possession of one of these weapons to voluntarily place it in a knife surrender bin. It allowed those with one of these blades to turn it in without fear of legal repercussions, getting the weapons off the streets as quickly as possible. Now, anyone found in possession of one of these knives can be sent to jail.
The government cooperated with law enforcement, local communities and other partners to make sure that the public was aware of the surrender programme, which has been used in conjunction with knife bans in the past.
This is just one element of a larger set of steps the government is taking to make the already-toughest knife crime laws in the world even stronger. Any weapon carried in public without a valid reason is prohibited by law and is punishable by up to four years in prison. In 2016, the government outlawed zombie knives, and in 2019 cyclone knives were outlawed.
Under the law, a maximum two-year prison sentence could be handed down to anyone found in possession of them. Those manufacturing and selling zombie knives could also face prison. But, the progress on passing the legislation has been slow and several cases involving zombie knives have occurred since.
Just days before the new law took effect, a 15-year-old named Daejaun Campbell died after being stabbed in the thigh with one of the weapons in Woolwich. Campbell’s reported last words were “I’m 15, don’t let me die”. Three people were later charged with his murder.
In September 2023, 15-year-old Elianne Andam was stabbed on her way to school with what was believed to be a foot-long, serrated zombie blade. Tributes poured in for the south London student and aspiring lawyer who was reportedly knifed in the neck. A 17-year-old boy has been charged and will face trial in the spring. He cannot be named for legal reasons.
In October, a 23-year-old man was arrested for carrying 18 knives, including large machetes and zombie knives, during a police stop and search outside Edmonton Green station.
Knife crimes increased by nine per cent in 2022 and around 45,000 offences were recorded. Last year, there were just over 19,000 cautions and convictions made for possession of a knife or offensive weapon, with 18 per cent of the cases involving juveniles.
The recent senseless deaths highlight the harm caused by knives on the streets of the capital.
But what exactly is a zombie knife?
What is a zombie knife?
A zombie knife is a bladed weapon that has been increasingly linked to violent crimes and gang use. Inspired by zombie films, they often have one smooth blade and one serrated edge. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes and tend to feature graphics or text (whether on the blade or handle) that suggest they should be used for violence.
Past rules on zombie blades
The Government said in 2016 that work was underway to create laws to outlaw zombie knives when Theresa May was the home secretary. Later the same year, it made an announcement prohibiting the sale, production and importing of zombie knives in England and Wales.
Although laws have prohibited certain zombie knives since 2016, there have been loopholes in regulation that allowed sales to continue. Some retailers dodged the restrictions by removing threatening words from the weapon.
This implied that, even if they think the weapons were used to commit a crime, police couldn’t seize them if they were discovered in someone's home.
What do the rules introduced in September mean?
A new definition was outlined in August that defines a zombie-style knife as “any bladed weapon over eight inches in length 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”.
According to the Home Office, police have the authority to seize some items with blades, even if they are not illegal. This aims to stop the loophole that allows some retailers to continue selling zombie blades.
The maximum sentence for importing, producing or providing illegal offensive weapons or selling bladed items to those under the age of 18 was extended, from six months to two years in prison.
