Call to surrender ninja swords ahead of new law

People who own ninja swords are being urged to hand them into police stations across West Yorkshire as part of month-long amnesty.

Running from 1 to 31 July, the scheme aims to help take the deadly weapons off the streets before new legislation banning them comes into force.

People who legally own a ninja sword can surrender them at one of five police stations in the county and in some cases may be able to claim compensation.

Ch Insp James Kitchen said: "We have seen cases locally and nationally where these weapons have been used to cause fear and injury."

West Yorkshire Police has joined other forces across the UK which are participating in the Home Office surrender scheme.

The new legislation, which comes into force on 1 August, will make it a criminal offence to possess such weapons in private or manufacture, import, or sell them.

Possession in private, supply, sale, and importation of ninja swords after 1 August could lead to a prison sentence of up to six months, potentially increasing to two years under the new measures.

It is already a criminal offence to carry the weapons in public.

The majority of ninja swords have a blade between 14in (35.5cm) and 24in (61cm), with a straight cutting edge and pointed end.

Police said compensation could be claimed if a sword was handed in during the surrender period and a claim submitted at one of the following police stations:

• Havertop Police Station in Wakefield

• Elland Road Police Station in Leeds

• Richmond Close Police Station in Calderdale

• Trafalgar House Police Station in Bradford

• Castlegate Police Station in Kirklees

To be eligible for compensation, a person must have been the lawful owner of the sword on or before 27 March 2025 and be able to provide proof such as an invoice or receipt.

Ch Insp Kitchen said: "The Home Office is paying compensation for each sword handed in, so clearly it is in the interests of owners to do the right thing and dispose of these blades safely with us before it becomes a crime to possess them.

"While West Yorkshire Police is taking part in the national surrender, I do want to reassure residents that if any weapons are handed to us which are linked to crime, we will of course fully investigate and take necessary action."

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