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Gentle reminder - Ninja Sword Surrender Scheme

Today (1 July) sees the start of the national ninja sword surrender scheme that will run across England and Wales until 31 July.

The scheme comes ahead of the ban of ninja swords which comes into force from 1 August 2025 when it’ll become illegal to own, manufacture, import or sell these weapons.

Throughout July, we are encouraging members of the community to safely surrender their ninja swords at one of our police station front counters:

  • Burton Police Station
    Horninglow Street, Burton-on-Trent, DE14 1PA
  • Cannock Police Station
    15 Wolverhampton Road, Cannock, WS11 1AW
  • Longton Police Station
    Sutherland Road, Longton, ST3 1HH

    • Anyone wishing to surrender a ninja sword between 1 – 31 July can do so Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.

    Ninja swords that are wanting to be surrendered need to be:

  • Securely wrapped and sealed in a bag or box
  • Not transported or carried openly
  • Not removed from packaging until instructed to do so

    • Front counters colleagues have been provided with information and resources for what to do when these knives are being surrendered.

    The legal definition of a ninja sword that are prohibited under The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment, Surrender and Compensation) (England and Wales) Order 2025 include:

  • A blade length at least 14 inches but no more than 24 inches. The length of the blade being the straight-line distance from the top of the handle to the tip of the blade
  • A primary straight cutting edge
  • A secondary straight cutting edge
  • A blunt spine
  • Either a tanto style point or a reversed tanto style point

    • As part of the surrender scheme, owners could also be able to claim compensation from the Home Office and they will decide what level of compensation, if any, is payable to those who surrender a qualified weapon.

    In order to be eligible for compensation, individuals must print and complete a compensation form before attending the police station.

    People can still surrender knives at amnesty bins, but they will not receive compensation.

    Here are some documents that can help provide more information and guidance:

  • NPCC – Police Operational Guidance
  • Compensation form

    • Staffordshire Police guidance

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    Message Sent By
    Matthew Henshall
    (Staffordshire Police, PCSO, Newcastle Borough)
    Neighbourhood Alert