Police launch ninja sword amnesty ahead of ban

People in Surrey who own ninja swords are being urged to hand them into three police stations across the county as part of month-long amnesty.

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

While it is already a criminal offence to carry the weapons in public, from 1 August it will be a criminal offence to possess such weapons privately, and to manufacture, import or sell them.

Weapons can be surrendered at Guildford Police Station, Staines Police Station, and Caterham Police Station.

The new legislation is being introduced as a result of a campaign launched by the family of 16-year-old Ronan Kanda, who was killed in 2022 by teenagers who used a set of swords and a machete bought online.

Under the amnesty scheme, lawful owners may be able to claim compensation for the items in most cases.

While the standard compensation for each surrendered weapon will be £5, this may increase if the person can show that the value of their weapon exceeds this amount.

The owner must also have evidence that they have either been the owner, or had contracted to acquire the item, on or before 27 March.

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