What is a zombie knife?
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Knife crime remains a significant issue in our capital, despite numerous efforts to curb the use of blades on London’s streets. Since the start of the year, victims of knife crime have included 17-year-old Thomas Taylor, killed in Bedford, and 14-year-old schoolboy Kelyan Bokassa, fatally stabbed in Woolwich.
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But what exactly is a zombie knife and is the ban proving effective?. They come in various sizes and shapes, often adorned with graphic designs or text — whether etched onto the blade or engraved on the handle — that suggest they are intended for acts of violence. Some zombie knives are specifically designed to resemble combat tools, with features that evoke an intimidating, aggressive purpose.
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In 2016, under then-Home Secretary Theresa May, the UK Government began working on legislation to ban zombie knives. Later that year, laws were officially introduced, prohibiting the sale, production, and importation of zombie knives in England and Wales.
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Despite these early efforts, regulation loopholes persisted, allowing some retailers to continue selling these weapons. They could bypass the regulations by removing or altering the knives’ threatening graphics, such as words or designs. This led to situations where even if authorities suspected these weapons were used in crimes, police could not seize them from individuals’ homes due to the absence of clear evidence of their intended use.
The lack of stringent enforcement allowed these dangerous weapons to remain accessible, contributing to an ongoing cycle of knife crime. This issue persisted until stronger, more comprehensive legislation was introduced, ultimately resulting in the outright ban on zombie knives in September 2024.
