GREATER Manchester Police has said it has made a significant dent in knife crime across the region as a nationwide knife surrender scheme begins.

From Tuesday, September 24, 2024, it will be illegal to own certain styles of zombie knives and machetes.

Under the new measures, it will be illegal to possess, sell or manufacture or transport these zombie-style knives and machetes.

Ahead of the law change, a month-long national surrender and compensation scheme has been introduced by the government, allowing legal owners of zombie-style knives and machetes to surrender them to the police and claim compensation if they wish.

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The Home Office has launched the scheme to tackle knife crimeOwners may be entitled to compensation for surrendering the knives (Image: Joe Giddens)
The national scheme adds to the knife amnesty bins already in operation around Greater Manchester, which has recycled approximately 3,000 recovered knives.

GMP has also explained that its 'Operation Venture' team, which is dedicated to tackling violence and knife crime, has made 642 arrests, recovered 181 weapons, seized 113 vehicles and over £250,000 cash since December 2022.

This is in addition to more than £80,000 worth of drugs being recovered, and 661 positive, proactive stop and searches on key offenders up to 31 July 2024.

The scheme adds to GMP's 'Operation Venetic'The scheme adds to GMP's 'Operation Venetic' (Image: GMP)
Following the Home Office guidance on zombie knives and machetes, 11 stations across Greater Manchester are designated points for the surrender of zombie knives from August 26 to September 23:

  • North Manchester – Central Park Police Station, Northampton Road, M40 5BQ
  • Manchester Central & South – Longsight Police Station, Grindlow Street, M13 0LL
  • Stockport – Cheadle Heath Police Station, Spectrum Way, ST3 0SA
  • Trafford – Stretford Police Station, Talbot Road, Old Trafford, M32 0UX
  • Salford – Swinton Police Station, Chorley Road, M27 6BA
  • Wigan – Wigan Police Station, Robin Park Road, WN5 0UP
  • Bolton – Bolton Police Station, Scholey Street, BL2 1HD
  • Bury – Bury Police Station, Dunster Road, BL9 0RD
  • Oldham – Oldham Police Station, Barn Street, OL1 1LR
  • Rochdale – Rochdale Police Station, The Esplanade, OL16 1AG
  • Tameside – Tameside Police Station, Manchester Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL7 0BQ

The knives can be handed into Wigan Police StationThe knives can be handed into Wigan Police Station (Image: Google Maps)
Superintendent Caroline Hemingway who leads GMP’s response to knife crime said: “I’m extremely proud of the work of our team and this new legislation will only help this further.

“In July 2024, we saw a 4% decrease in serious violent crime from June 2024.

“We remain committed and determined to ensure the impact of knife crime is tackled head on with robust policing and effective education.

“Prevention is prioritised, and we do a lot of work in schools and with health partners. It’s not just about policing our way out of the issue. What this scheme will do is give us the opportunity to take more knives off the streets, but potentially save lives.”

Additional details about the surrender scheme can be found at this link.