After months of campaigning, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson has won his battle against the sale of so-called ‘zombie knives’.
The Commissioner has been calling for a total ban since last summer and Home Secretary Theresa May has now decided to act. According to media reports this weekend, laws will be rushed through to prohibit their sale, manufacture or importation.
During his campaign, the Commissioner has met with both Home Office Minister Karen Bradley MP and Shadow Policing Minister Jack Dromey in Westminster, pointing out the dangers of ‘zombie knives’ and their growing prevalence on the streets. He has also written to Theresa May and Amazon UK CEO Chris North, which resulted in security being tightened on the website. Questions were also tabled in Parliament by local West Midlands MP Ian Austin in February 2016.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said:”This is wonderful news – real progress has been achieved and we have been able to change the law for the better.
“Zombie knives have no practical usage whatsoever and are being increasingly used by criminal gangs on the streets. With names like Head Splitter and Death Dagger, no sensible person wants to see them in general circulation and I am delighted that, after months of hard work, we will finally see these gruesome weapons banned.
“The Office of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner has achieved something great here. I made a proactive decision to act before this became a widespread problem and I’m thankful my concerns have been heard by top-level government.
“Theresa May now needs to set out exactly which legislation she will bring in and do so as quickly as possible. I will keep pressing until these weapons are banned once and for all.”
The brutal blades can be up to 2ft long, have several serrated edges and names such as Apocalypse Head Decapitator.
Home Secretary Theresa May said: “There can be no legitimate reason for anybody to need one of these.”
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