Compensation offered as Hampshire and Dorset police join national call for people to surrender soon-to-be-outlawed zombie-style knives and machetes

PAY-outs may be made as New Forest and Christchurch residents are urged to surrender zombie-style knives and machetes before they are outlawed.

Hampshire and Dorset police have joined the national month-long campaign, launched on Monday, with lawful owners told they can claim compensation for items valued at more than £30 in most cases.

Lymington’s police office at New Forest District Council’s Avenue Road offices is among the Hampshire sites where the blades can be handed in.

The Dorset sites are at Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth police stations.

From 24th September it will be illegal to possess, sell, manufacture and transport zombie-style knives and machetes.

These are bladed articles with plain cutting edges, sharp pointed ends, or blades over 8ins long (in a straight line from the top of the handle to the tip).

Also, they may have serrated cutting edges, more than one hole in the blades, spikes, or more than two sharp points in the blades.

Ch. Supt Claire Jenkins, Hampshire strategic lead for serious violence, said: “This surrender is key to helping deal with the accessibility of deadly weapons and we are doing all we can to reduce how readily and easily they can end up in the wrong hands.

“Many of these zombie-style knives and machetes are clearly designed to intimidate and cause harm, rather than serve any practical purpose, so the ban will support us by significantly reducing their availability.

“If you don’t wish to take part in or are not eligible for the compensation scheme you can surrender any knives or weapons at a suitable knife bin which are readily available across the country.”

People surrendering blades must ensure they are safe to handle while travelling to the police station and while on police premises.

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