Police hold sword amnesty ahead of new change in law

AS PART of a national initiative ahead of a change in the law surrounding Ninja swords, Cheshire Constabulary is holding an amnesty event across July.

- 

Cheshire Police are joining partner forces across the country in supporting a new Home Office surrender and compensation scheme for the soon-to-be banned weapons running up to July 31.

The scheme, which is to be the largest surrender scheme conducted in England and Wales to date, is being launched ahead of new legislation which will come into effect on August 1 making it a criminal offence to possess ninja swords in private or manufacture, import or sell them.

It is already a criminal offence to carry the weapons in public and can result in a custodial sentence of up to four years.

Ninja swords are defined as having a blade between 14 and 24 inches, a straight cutting edge and a tanto-style point (angled tip).

Anyone who bought and owns the weapons will be able to hand them in ahead of the legislation change at police station helpdesks across Cheshire: