DORSET Police have joined a national month-long scheme to get zombie knives off the streets.

All police forces in England and Wales, including Dorset Police, have joined together in a month-long government scheme to remove zombie-style knives and machetes from the streets. 

Beginning on August 26, the scheme hopes to prepare for a new law which is set to come into place on September 24 which will make it illegal to own certain styles of zombie knives and machetes.

Superintendent Andrew Bell, knife crime lead for Dorset Police, said: “We take knife crime very seriously in Dorset and will continue to educate the public and aim to remove knife crime from the streets.

“Possession of banned weapons, even if just in a drawer at home, can mean a prison sentence of more than four years.

"The new law is that any knives over eight inches in length and with one or more serrated edges are now illegal."

The new legislation aims to remove specific types of knives from circulation and prohibits the sale and importation of knives which meet the criteria.

The police scheme will end on September 23, a day before the new law comes into effect, and will allow owners of such knives to surrender them with compensation on offer for knives which meet the criteria. 

Dorset police and crime commissioner David Sidwick said: "I would strongly encourage anyone in possession of these weapons to surrender them as part of this scheme.

"It is the responsibility of all of us to ensure young people are clear that carrying a knife only puts them in more danger of getting seriously hurt or even worse.

"Help us tackle this devastating crime by doing the right thing.”

Zombie-style knives and zombie-style machetes are described in law as knives with a plain cutting edge, a sharp pointed end and over eight inches in length.

The knives often also have a serrated cutting edge, more than one hole in the blade, spikes, and more than two sharp points in the blade. 

Police stations in Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth where knives can be surrendered can be found on Dorset Police's website.