THIRTY ninja swords were surrendered at police stations across Avon and Somerset during the Home Office’s month-long amnesty scheme.

The campaign, which urged members of the public to hand in any ninja sword in their possession, ran throughout England and Wales in July.

At midnight on Friday, August 1, ownership of these bladed weapons became illegal. This means the possession, manufacture, importation, sale and supply of ninja swords are now prohibited.

Being found in possession of a ninja sword could lead to imprisonment for up to six months, increasing to two years under new measures in the Crime and Policing Bill.

Chief Inspector Mike Vass, knife crime lead at Avon and Somerset Police, said: “The 30 ninja swords we received in July are 30 potentially deadly weapons removed from our communities, and another positive step towards making our streets safer. I’m thankful to the law-abiding members of the public who did the right thing by surrendering their property safely.

“Many people who own ninja swords don’t have criminal intent and, until this moment, owners may have had them stored at home as a collector’s item. But when these weapons fall into the wrong hands, they can have fatal and life-changing consequences.

“The ban introduced today will act as a deterrent to some, yet tackling knife crime will not be achieved through enforcement and deterrence alone. It requires a holistic approach, focusing on the root causes of knife carrying and prioritising education, prevention and support to address this behaviour.

“We continue to work closely with partner agencies to ensure appropriate diversion and safeguarding interventions are put in place for those identified as at risk of serious violence.”

The new ninja sword ban comes within a year of a similar surrender scheme for ‘zombie-style’ knives and machetes, which became illegal on September 24, 2024.