OWNING ninja-style swords will soon be illegal – and owners are encouraged to surrender these to police before the ban is in place.
New legislation is coming into place on August 1 which will ban these weapons as part of efforts to keep them off the streets.
Once the weapons are handed over, owners will be able to submit an application to claim compensation.
Eligible weapons can be handed in at either in Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Salisbury and Trowbridge police stations.
Superintendent Paul Saunders said: “This legislation is welcome to allow us to tackle dangerous and impractical weapons, such as ninja swords. These weapons, often glamorised in popular culture, serve no legitimate purpose in our communities and pose a clear risk to public safety.
“From August 1, officers will have enhanced powers to seize such weapons wherever they are found, including in private homes, and individuals found in possession—regardless of intent—may face prosecution and a custodial sentence of over two years.”
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He added: “It is imperative that individuals follow the prescribed surrender procedures carefully.
“All weapons must be securely contained during transport and must not be displayed at any time, except when specifically requested by a police officer or member of police staff. These measures are in place to ensure the safety of all parties involved.”
To safely surrender these items, they must:
- Be made safe to handle, and be contained in a manner that allows them to be transported without causing distress or alarm to other members of the public
- Be wrapped up and placed in a sealed bag or box. They must not be carried openly at any time
- Not be taken out at the police station until you are requested to do so by a police officer or member of police staff.
Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “There is absolutely no practical reason for anyone to be in possession of a ninja sword in everyday life, and I fully support this new surrender and compensation scheme as a proactive step to reduce the availability of dangerous weapons ahead of the upcoming legislation.
“Wiltshire continues to have some of the lowest knife crime rates in the country, however even a single incident involving a bladed weapon can have devastating consequences for victims, families, and communities.
It will be illegal to own a ninja sword after August 1 unless a specific legal defence applies.
The locations and opening times of the five designated stations can be found here.
A short summary of what is eligible and how to surrender them can be found here.
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