A MONTH-long ninja sword surrender campaign has been announced in advance of the weapons being made illegal this August.

The Home Office-run scheme was launched on Tuesday, July 1.

The Ninja Sword Surrender and Compensation Scheme will run for the entire month in England and Wales, before the ownership of these bladed weapons becomes illegal on Friday, August 1 – unless a specific legal defence applies.

Throughout July, Avon and Somerset Police will be urging the public to safely transport and hand in any ninja sword in their possession to a designated police station across the force area.

All ninja swords can be surrendered, yet owners will only be eligible for financial compensation if they can prove they purchased the sword before March 27, 2025 and if the item is handed in during the surrender period – up until 11.59pm on July 31.

Once the surrender period ends, the possession, manufacture, importation, sale and supply of ninja swords will be prohibited.

Chief Inspector Mike Vass, Avon and Somerset Police’s knife crime lead, said: “We strongly encourage anyone who has a ninja sword to come forward and surrender it before it becomes a criminal offence.

“There is no need to be in possession of these kinds of weapons. Children and young people are putting themselves and others at great risk by carrying or keeping them for protection, so handing in a weapon might just save a life.

"For those who prefer not to enter a police station, we have a large number of permanent surrender bins located around Avon and Somerset where you can deposit your weapon. There are also a number of community-based sites that may be more accessible to you. Find out where your nearest surrender bin is on our website.

“As some items are too large for these bins, you may need to attend one of our designated police stations where we have provided additional provision to accept them.”

A spokesperson for the police added: “To package and transport a surrendered weapon safely, wrap it in newspaper, bubble wrap or cloth, then place it in a sturdy bag or box that is completely sealed. Do not label the package.

“Make sure to go directly to a designated police station without making stops. Although carrying weapons openly is illegal, going directly to surrender is a ‘good reason’ for possession if stopped by the police.”

The legal definition of a ninja sword has the following five criteria: a blade whose length is between 14 and 24 inches; a primary straight cutting edge; secondary straight cutting edge; a blunt spine; and either a tanto style point or a reversed tanto style point.

Those found in private possession of a ninja sword from August 1 onwards will face up to six months in prison, extending to two years under new measures in the Crime and Policing Bill. The penalty will be more severe if a ninja sword is seized in a public space.