The UK has continued to grapple with the rising menace of knife crime, and a particularly sinister weapon - the zombie knife.
With a fearsome reputation these knives have come to symbolise dangerous bladed weapons.
But are zombie knives truly the epidemic they are made out to be, or is this just a case of misunderstood legislation?
Knife crime remains a real and significant problem in the UK.
According to the Office for National Statistics there were 46,000 recorded offences involving a knife or sharp instrument in the 12 months to March 2024.
Large cities, particularly London, bear the brunt of this violence, with knife-related homicides and assaults remaining a persistent concern.
Most knife crimes involve ordinary kitchen and utility knives, or other everyday tools, which are very accessible and easier to conceal.
In the UK, the possession of an offensive weapon in a public place is illegal under the Prevention of Crime Act 1953.
Offensive weapons are categorised into three types.
1. Weapons made to cause injury
2. Weapons adapted to cause injury
3. Weapons intended by the person carry to cause injury
Zombie knives fall under the first category - offensive weapons made specifically to cause injury.
The law defines these knives as those that have.
· A blade with a cutting edge and a serrated edge.
· Images or words that suggest the knife is to be used for violence.
· A length of more than 8 inches.
These knives are often marketed as collector’s items, with exaggerated designs mimicking weapons from horror films.
However, their practicality as a weapon in real-world scenarios is debatable; their size and shape often make them unwieldy compared to more conventional knives.
UK regularly holds knife amnesty campaigns, where people can hand in their knives, including zombie knives, without fear of prosecution.
During these periods, hundreds, sometimes thousands, of knives are surrendered to authorities.
Critics argue that knife amnesties are little more than symbolic gestures, as the people most likely to hand in their weapons are not those committing crimes.
Additionally, these campaigns often fail to address the root causes of knife crime, such as poverty, gang culture, and lack of opportunities.
Compensation is rarely offered unless the knife is a valuable collector's item - which is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
If you witness someone being stabbed, your immediate actions could be the difference between life and death.
1. Immediately call the emergency services
2. Apply pressure to the area
3. Keep the victim still
4. Do not remove the knife
5. Comfort the victim
Zombie knives are dangerous, but the solution lies in addressing underlying social issues and ensuring individuals understand the life-altering consequences of carrying knives.
To learn more - https:/nvcawareness.co.uk/contact-us/
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