RESIDENTS in the Nuneaton and Bedworth borough are being urged to hand in ‘zombie-style’ knives or machetes before they are banned.
Those who hand in any weapons can apply for compensation from the Home Office of a standard amount of £10, although they may be able to claim more if the weapons value is over £10.
A zombie-style knife or machete is any bladed weapon over eight inches in length with a plain cutting edge and sharp pointed end with a serrated cutting edge, more than one hole in the blade or multiple sharp points like spikes.
Weapons can be handed into any station but to receive compensation they have to be handed into the stations listed below.
Nuneaton Police Station, Warwickshire Justice Centre, Vicarage Street, Rugby Police Station, Newbold Road, Rugby, Leamington Police Station, Warwickshire Justice Centre, Newbold Terrace, Stratford Police Station, Rother Street.
From September 24 the knives will come into effect, up until the national change in legislation that prohibits the sale, production, and importation of zombie knives in England and Wales will run until September 23.
Chief Supt. Emma Bastone said: “There is no good reason for anyone to keep one of these zombie-style weapons in their home.
“They have no cultural, historic, artistic, or practical value, and their implied purpose is generally for intimidation or harm.
“We accept that there are members of our communities who may have purchased them and who should now realise that this was an error.
“Come forward now, and the Home Office will compensate you; if our officers find them later, it will not go well for you.”
Coun Chris Watkins, leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said: “We would like to endorse the comments of Supt. Bastone and encourage owners of these types of knives and machetes to hand them in as soon as possible.
“We are committed to making Nuneaton and Bedworth safe for our residents and visitors to our borough and will wholeheartedly support any initiatives that will help us do this.”
