Taking zombie-style knives and machetes off our streets in the South

Police forces in Sussex, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight are both backing a nationwide initiative to encourage owners of "zombie-style" knives and machetes to turn them in.

This is part of the force's ongoing efforts to combat knife crime and serious violence.

Police forces across England and Wales will implement a surrender and compensation scheme before changes in legislation take effect on the 24th of September.

Members of the public can surrender other weapons during this period which we will retain and dispose of, however owners will not be able to claim compensation for these.

Those handing in these weapons between August 26 and September 23 can claim compensation if they make the claim at the same time as surrendering the weapon at a designated police station.

Compensation is £10 per weapon, with a minimum total claim of £30. For example, surrendering three weapons at £10 each makes you eligible for compensation.

If members of the public believe their weapon is worth more than £10, they may be able to make a claim for a higher amount by providing evidence such as a receipt.

SUSSEX POLICE

Weapons can be surrendered at the following police stations:
• Eastbourne – Grove Road
• Hastings
• Worthing -Chatsworth Road
• Crawley
• Brighton
• Chichester

Find more detailed guidance click here.

HAMPSHIRE & IOW POLICE

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police Force Chief Superintendent Claire Jenkins, force strategic lead for knife crime, said: “Tackling knife crime requires all agencies and partners working together, approaching this from a number of different angles.

"Our commitment to disrupt and tackle serious violence through Operation Sceptre and ongoing work with the Violence Reduction Partnership, has seen a reduction of nearly 8% for the number of knife crime offences in our Force area, when compared to last year.

“Our commitment to disrupt and tackle serious violence through Operation Sceptre and ongoing work with the Violence Reduction Partnership, has seen a reduction of nearly 8% for the number of knife crime offences in our Force area, when compared to last year.

"Knife crime can affect anyone, not just people in gangs. Young people say they carry them because of peer pressure or for protection - but in fact you are much more likely to become a victim of knife crime yourself. Situations involving weapons can quickly get out of control.  If you are found with a knife - you will be arrested and are very likely to be charged with a crime for a first time offence. We must challenge the assumption that it’s normal to carry a knife. It isn’t. You are putting yourself, other people and your future at risk.

“This surrender is key to help deal with the accessibility of deadly weapons and we are doing all we can to reduce how readily and easily they can end up in the wrong hands. Many of these ‘zombie-style’ knives and machetes are clearly designed to intimidate and cause harm, rather than serve any practical purpose, so the ban will support us by significantly reducing their availability.

“I would urge anyone in possession of a knife soon to be become prohibited to do the right thing and surrender it. To be clear from the 24th September you will be liable to arrest and prosecution if found with such a weapon.

"If you don’t wish to take part in or are not eligible for the compensation scheme you can surrender any knives or weapons at a suitable knife bin which are readily available across our county.”

Items can be surrendered and compensation claimed at these designated front offices:

• Aldershot Police Station Wellington Avenue Aldershot GU11 1NZ
• Andover Police Station South Street Andover SP10 2ED
• NPIC Police Station Jays Close Viables Business Park Basingstoke RG22 4BS
• EPIC Police Station Airport Service Road Portsmouth PO3 5GE
• Portsmouth Central Police Station Winston Churchill Avenue Portsmouth PO1 2DG
• Gosport Police Station Gosport Town Hall High Street Gosport PO12 1EB
• Winchester Police Station Tower Street Winchester SO23 8ZD
• Park Gate Police Station 60 / 64 Bridge Road Park Gate Southampton SO31 7HN
• Havant Police Station Civil Centre Road Havant PO9 2AN
• Waterlooville Police Station Swiss Road Waterlooville PO7 7FX
• Fareham Police Station Quay Street Fareham PO16 0NA
• Newport Police Station High Street Newport PO30 1SZ
• WPIC Police Station Southern Road Southampton SO15 1AN
• Portswood Police Station St Denys Road Southampton SO17 2GN
• Lymington Police Office NFDC Offices Avenue Road Lymington SO41 9ZG