ESSEX Police is urging the owners of specific varieties of knives and machetes to hand them in to us in exchange for compensation ahead of fresh legislation banning their sale and possession.

A national surrender and compensation scheme has been launched by the Home Office ahead of a new law making it illegal to own or sell ‘zombie-style’ knives and machetes.

Police forces across England and Wales, including Essex Police, are participating in the scheme, which runs from 26 August until 23 September 2024.

From 24 September this year, zombie-style knives and machetes will be outlawed by new legislation.

The law will cover the manufacture, supply, sale, possession and importation of these weapons.

Current lawful owners of specified zombie knives and machetes will be able to submit a claim for compensation at the same time that they surrender the weapons to us under the scheme.

Further details of the surrender scheme, a list of items covered, their definition and guidance on how to transport them safely can be found by visiting the Home Office’s dedicated web page.

Eligible knives can be handed in at the following police stations:

South Essex

Basildon Police Station, Great Oaks, Basildon SS14 1EJ
Southend Police Station, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6ES

West Essex

Harlow Police Station, The High, Harlow, CN20 1HG
Grays Police Station, Brook Road, Grays, RM17 5BX

North Essex

Colchester Police Station, 10 Southway, Colchester CO3 3BU
Clacton Police Station, 8 Beatrice Road, Clacton CO15 1ET
Braintree Police Station, Blyths Meadow, Braintree CM7 3DJ
Chelmsford Police Station, New Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1NF

Other varieties of knives not specified under the new legislation can still be deposited in designated amnesty bins across Essex, however these will not be covered by the government’s compensation scheme.

We will also be working closely with retailers around the sale of these weapons, ensuring they are aware of the new law and abide by it.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Hughes, from our Serious Violence Unit, said:

“We welcome this new legislation which will supplement and enhance our ongoing work to tackle knife crime in Essex.
“These weapons have always been illegal to possess in a public place, but this tightening and strengthening of the legislation will give us more powers to ensure these dangerous items are not sold, kept or used under any circumstances.
“We have always been very clear that the carrying of a knife can only lead to disaster and misery.
“Even if you think you’re protecting yourself by carrying one of these weapons, you’re far more likely to be attacked or stabbed yourself – or else find yourself facing a serious criminal charge.
“There’s no good reason, no sensible purpose and absolutely no justification for arming yourself with a knife – particularly of the variety covered by this new legislation.
“I would continue to reassure the wider community in Essex that you are very unlikely to fall victim to knife-related crime in our county.
“Knife crime is down in Essex, but that doesn’t mean we’re complacent and we know one incident is too many.
“We’re continuing to utilise targeted operations, seizing weapons from offenders and putting them before the courts.
“We’re also working more closely than ever with partners in education and health, as the figures are telling us almost half of all knife crime suspects are aged between 10 and 19 in Essex.
“We will continue to address the core issues and root causes behind knife crime, as when knife-enabled offending does occur, the consequences are so often disastrous.
“Although such incidents remain rare, we know and recognise the understandable public concern they cause.”

We recorded 1,565 incidents of knife-enabled crime in Essex in the 12 months to date, a 5% decrease on pre-Covid levels.

It is hoped the new legislation will broaden and strengthen the classification of ‘zombie’ knives and machetes, helping our officers to identify and seize more of these weapons and take them out of circulation.

The fresh powers will also assist us in pursuing prosecutions against those who possess such weapons, even in private properties.

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington added:

“Knife crime may be falling in Essex, but you will see no complacency from me or my teams.
“Every person hurt or life lost is a tragedy and we’ve seen as recently as last month the disorder that can be caused by the use and possession of weapons, which now fall under this fresh legislation.
“I welcome any measures which will streamline our ability and give us greater powers to drive down knife crime and take these weapons off our streets.”

Jane Gardner, Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said:

“The PFCC Essex long lobbied for tighter laws to get these dangerous knives off our streets, especially so called ‘zombie knives’, and we were pleased when a new law was introduced making these knives illegal.
“Make no mistake, we will continue our unceasing efforts to stop all knife crime and knife death in Essex.
“We strongly urge people to hand in these dreadful weapons, which cause so much pain and suffering to victims and families, before the new law comes into force on Tuesday 24 September.
“Each knife and machete handed over is a strong, firm step toward creating safe and secure communities in Essex.”