National call to surrender all zombie-style knives and machetes

Surrey Police will be part of a surrender and compensation scheme for zombie-style knives and zombie-style machetes being launched by the Government on Monday, 26 August.

The scheme will see a one-month surrender period for owners to hand in their weapons to the police and claim compensation, which will run until 23 September. These items will be illegal to possess, sell, manufacture and transport from 24 September. 

The surrender and compensation scheme is part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to tackling serious violence and strengthening police powers to act. Changes to the Criminal Justice Act 1988 will add zombie-style knives and zombie-style machetes to the list of prohibited offensive weapons. 

Under the scheme, these items can be surrendered to police. Lawful owners will be able to claim compensation for the items in most cases, if the total value of the items is more than £30. Claims can be submitted to Surrey Police using a form which is available here on the Government website. 

Items can be surrendered at these designated front offices across Surrey:

• Guildford Police Station, Margaret Road, Guildford, GU1 4PZ 

• Staines Police Station, 22 Kingston Rd, Staines, TW18 4LQ   

• Caterham Police Station, Timber Hill Road, Caterham, CR3 6LD   

People surrendering items must ensure that the items are safe to handle while travelling to the police station and while on police premises. They must be contained in a manner that allows them to be transported without causing distress or alarm to other members of the public.  

Items must be wrapped up and placed in a sealed bag or box. They must not be carried openly at any time. Carrying bladed articles in public without a good reason or lawful authority is an offence.  

Carrying the items according to these instructions and accompanied by the claim form will allow individuals to claim that they have a ‘good reason’ - namely that they are about to surrender the articles at the nearest designated police station - if stopped by the police. Once in the police station, the person mustn't take the item out until requested to do so by a police officer or member of police staff. 

Further guidance and information is available here.