Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary is urging residents to hand in any ninja-style swords as part of a month-long surrender scheme starting this week.
Running from 1 July to 31 July 2025, the amnesty will allow people to safely hand over these weapons before new legislation comes into force banning their possession.
The move follows a similar surrender scheme targeting zombie knives and machetes last year, and forms part of a nationwide effort to reduce knife-enabled crime.
Inspector Mike Minnock, the force’s tactical lead for knife crime, said:
“Reassuringly we don’t see a lot of ninja swords often being used for criminality in our communities but this ban from the government is an opportunity to reduce knife enabled crime, which will help us in our work tackling knife crime.”
The new ban aims to close a legal loophole around certain bladed weapons and will make it easier to prosecute those who carry them with the intent to cause harm.
How to Surrender a Ninja Sword
- Check the Home Office guidance to see if your sword fits the criteria.
- Download and complete a claim form from the Home Office website.
- Bring the sword and form to a police station front counter or place it in a designated knife bin.
People who surrender a ninja sword during the amnesty will not face prosecution and can apply for £5 compensation, or more if they can prove the weapon’s value.
From 1 August 2025, anyone found in possession of a banned ninja sword, even in a private home, could face up to six months in prison, with proposals to increase this to two years under future government plans.
Inspector Minnock added:
“When it comes to items like ninja swords, like zombie knives, where it is clear there is no conceivable reason to have these items beyond criminal intent, it is right that these items are seized.”
Residents can find full guidance, including the criteria for which weapons are included, on the Home Office website.