A blanket new prohibition on ninja swords has formally taken effect in the UK as part of an expansive crackdown on knife crime, which continues to hold the country in its frightening grip. The law ties in with the handing in of more than 1,000 knives and other hazardous objects as part of a four-week government amnesty initiative.
The prohibition is the latest action by the British authorities to stem increasing knife-related violence, especially among young people. Knife crime in England and Wales rose 87% over the last decade, with 54,587 offences in one year alone — a 2% increase from 2023 and one of the highest levels in Europe.
The speed of this clampdown was highlighted on 29 July 2024, when 19-year-old Axel Rudakubana carried out a terrifying assault on a Taylor Swift-themed dance for children in Southport. Three little girls died, and 10 were injured, in one of the nation’s worst knife attacks in recent memory.
In the wake of the attack, the government further ramped up its efforts against illegal knife sales and knife violence among young people. Along with outlawing zombie knives, machetes, and most recently, ninja swords, officials have established tougher age verification restrictions for people purchasing knives. Social media giants have also been cautioned: refusing to crack down on advertising and selling weapons online would mean severe penalties.
Across the UK, during July, “amnesty bins” and mobile weapon-surrender vans were located, inviting the public, particularly youth, to dispose of weapons safely and without prosecution. A mobile unit is due to visit the Notting Hill Carnival later this month as a response to previous knife incidents linked to the event.
Although the government stepped up, critics say enforcement is not enough to fix the issue.
Campaigner Martin Cosser, whose son Charlie was stabbed to death in 2023, identified the deeper, emotional causes of knife violence. “It’s not about the knife,” Cosser explained. “It’s about the emotional drivers that lead them to carry them in the first place.”
Charities and experts operating in the sector are unanimous in their view that though bans and amnesties are worthwhile measures, they will need to be accompanied by increased investment in youth engagement programs, mental health services, and education to address the root causes of knife crime.
The new law also brings in “Ronan’s Law,” so-called after 16-year-old Ronan Kanda, who was stabbed to death with a ninja sword in 2022. His tragic death became a cause célèbre among campaigners advocating more responsibility and control regarding exotic and oversized knives.
As reported by the interior ministry, there are some encouraging signs of improvement. Knife robberies in seven of the most high-risk areas have fallen dramatically, from 14% of all robberies during the period ending June 2024 to just 6% over the same period this year.
Whether the weapon bans and amnesty campaign will lead to lasting reductions in knife violence is yet to be determined. While the government weighs up whether to extend the scheme, families, communities, and campaigners are still calling for long-term solutions to one of Britain’s most significant public safety challenges.
FAQs
Which weapons are now banned under the new UK knife laws?
The new law prohibits zombie-style knives, machetes, and ninja swords. The weapons are illegal to purchase, sell, or own unless for a valid purpose.
Why is the government running its weapon amnesty campaign?
The campaign is to curb knife crime by allowing the public to relinquish weapons anonymously, without fear of being arrested. More than 1,000 weapons were relinquished during the month-long initiative.
What is “Ronan’s Law”?
Ronan’s Law is so called in memory of Ronan Kanda, 16, who was killed by being stabbed in 2022 with a ninja sword. The legislation implements tougher controls and prohibitions on certain deadly weapons such as ninja swords.
Will the amnesty bins and mobile surrender vans survive beyond July?
It is not yet known whether the amnesty scheme will be extended beyond the period. The government has not made it certain that bins or mobile vans will remain beyond the campaign.
Are social media firms responsible for selling weapons on the internet?
Yes. The UK government has threatened social media sites with fines if they do not remove material that advertises or sells illegal knives or weapons.
