Four months on: Zombie knife ban – has it made a difference?

Four months after the ban on so-called “zombie knives,” our Youth Advisory Board (YAB) argues that while the ban is a step in the right direction, more comprehensive action is needed to effectively tackle knife crime.

The 2016 ban on zombie knives was hampered by a loophole, allowing retailers to circumvent restrictions by simply removing threatening language from the blades. A subsequent ban, spearheaded by the Labour party, aimed to close this gap, aligning with their commitment to halving knife crime. A knife surrender scheme, running from August 26th to September 24th, 2024, encouraged legal owners to hand in their knives at local police stations without fear of prosecution.

Mixed Reactions from the YAB

The ban itself elicited mixed reactions from YAB members. Some had limited awareness, with one member mentioning a brief workplace announcement. Others, including those working directly with young people, were completely unaware of the new legislation. This disparity highlights a significant communication gap and suggests the ban’s potential impact was diminished by a lack of effective outreach.

One YAB member expressed scepticism, characterising the ban as “underwhelming” and “performative.” They argued that while the ban might make some feel better, it’s unlikely to deter those already illegally possessing knives. “If you already illegally owned it, you were happy to do so, so you’ll just keep doing it,” they pointed out.

Conversely, another member shared a personal anecdote about a friend who surrendered their zombie knife, highlighting the ban’s positive influence on at least some individuals. This mixed feedback underscores the complex and nuanced nature of the issue.

Concerns about the Surrender Scheme

The surrender scheme offered a £10 incentive for each surrendered knife, payable upon completion of a form. However, YAB members raised concerns about the practicality of this approach, particularly in the context of the cost-of-living crisis. “It could cost £10 just to get to the police station,” one member noted. More importantly, the YAB emphasised that the root causes of knife crime – fear and peer pressure – remained unaddressed by the ban and the incentive program.

Confidentiality concerns surrounding the surrender form also emerged as a significant deterrent. The form required personal details, including name, address, and proof of legal ownership. YAB members felt this lack of anonymity would discourage participation, especially among those possessing knives illegally. This echoed concerns about the limited effectiveness of amnesty bins, which are often perceived as not truly anonymous. As one member astutely observed, “The legal owners of zombie knives are not perpetrators. If I illegally owned a knife, I’m not going to give the police my address to do who knows what with it!”

Addressing the Root Causes

The YAB stressed that focusing solely on the type of knife misses the bigger picture. “We need to talk about the things that will stop a young person picking up a knife in the first place! The size of the knife is not the main issue.” Community safety is paramount. YAB members believe many young people carry knives for self-protection, a finding supported by the YEF’s 2024 CVV survey, which revealed that nearly half (47%) of young people who carry weapons do so for this reason. The YAB believes that addressing this underlying fear is crucial to reducing knife crime.

The Way Forward

The YAB advocates for a multi-faceted approach that includes “earlier interventions,” providing “more ways out than in,” and strengthening youth services like youth clubs. They emphasise the need to build stronger communities, foster positive relationships between adults and young people, and delve into the “deeper reasons” behind knife carrying. This requires engaging directly with young people and valuing their perspectives. The YEF’s toolkit offers evidence-based solutions such as focused deterrence and social skills training, which have proven effective in preventing serious youth violence.

While the zombie knife ban has “started a conversation,” the YAB believes that meaningful action is still lacking. They call for better engagement with young people through targeted campaigns on platforms like Snapchat and increased police presence in schools and youth centers. They also suggest workshops and direct dialogue with teachers. The message is clear: we must move beyond simply “making noise about the problem” and invest in “solutions that are too quiet.”