Zombie Knife Amnesty

Staffordshire Police is supporting a national zombie knife amnesty compensation scheme on behalf of the Home Office from Tuesday 27 August 2024.

The scheme, which runs until 23 September, comes before zombie-style knives and machetes become banned in England and Wales on 24 September 2024. It invites owners of such knives to properly package, seal and hand them over at designated police stations, without repercussions, in order to be considered for compensation from the Home Office.

Zombie-style knives are defined as bladed articles with a plain cutting edge, a sharp pointed end, and a blade of over eight inches in length. They also frequently have a serrated cutting edge, more than two sharp points in the blade, spikes and more than one hole in the blade.

In order to be eligible for the compensation, individuals must provide proof of ownership and value of the item at the time of surrender. The weapon must also be packaged safely and wrapped in a sealed bag or box.

Anyone wishing to surrender their ‘zombie-style’ knife should do so directly to front counter staff at one of the following police stations, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm:

- Longton Police Station, Sutherland Road, Longton, ST3 1HH

- Cannock Police Station, 15 Wolverhampton Road, Cannock, WS11 1AW

- Burton Police Station, Horninglow Street, Burton-on-Trent, DE14 1PA

Those surrendering their weapons must ensure that:

- The weapon/s are securely wrapped and sealed in a bag or box

- Not carried openly

- Not removed from packaging until instructed to do so by a police officer or member of police staff

Front counter staff have been provided with information regarding the correct procedures when receiving these knives.

Once the weapon/s and proof of ownership have been checked and taken by a member of Staffordshire Police, owners will be asked if they would like to apply for compensation and be handed a form to complete, which the force will send to the Home Office for consideration.

After the Home Office has reviewed the form, proof of ownership and the weapon/s, payment will be arranged and police will destroy the surrendered knife.

Surrender bins will also be available at the designated stations for anonymous drop-offs of any kind of knife without compensation.

More information can be found here: 

Zombie-style knives and machetes surrender and compensation scheme | Staffordshire Police