By Greta Simpson
Cheshire Police have announced they are taking part in a Home Office amnesty scheme for ‘ninja swords’ before they become illegal to possess on August 1. The scheme will allow owners to surrender the items at Blacon, Crewe, Macclesfield , Warrington and Widnes police stations between July 1 and July 31. In some cases owners can receive compensation for their purchase, subject to certain conditions. Set to be the largest surrender scheme conducted in England and Wales, the scheme comes ahead of new legislation which will come into effect on 1 August, making it a criminal offence to possess ninja swords in private. It is already a criminal offence to carry the weapons in public and can result of a custodial sentence of up to four years – but the legislation means it will also be an offence to manufacture, import, or sell them. Ninja swords are defined as having a blade between 14 and 24 inches, a straight cutting edge, and a tanto-style point (angled tip). To be eligible to claim compensation for one of the ninja swords, you must lawfully own the item and be able to provide proof, such as a receipt, that it was bought before March 27, 2025. Only ninja swords legally bought before March 27 this year will be eligible for compensation – but police are encouraging everyone who owns one of these swords to surrender it before they become illegal. Compensation can only be claimed at the same time as a weapon is being handed over. Those doing so should download and complete a compensation form before attending one of the five designated Cheshire Police helpdesks. Possession in private, supply, sale, and importation of ninja swords after 1 August could lead to a prison sentence of up to six months, potentially increasing to two years under new measures. Superintendent Cath Jones said: 鈥淥ur officers work tirelessly all year round to keep the county鈥檚 streets weapons free and to reduce the number of incidents involving knives and other bladed articles. 鈥淎s part of these efforts, we are supporting our fellow forces across the country in a national amnesty campaign relating to Ninja swords, which, from 1 August, will be illegal to possess. “Anyone found in possession of one of these blades after Friday 1 August will be breaking the law and could face a six-month prison sentence. 鈥淎nyone looking to hand in a blade of this kind must ensure the sword is wrapped and placed in a sealed bag or box and not carried openly in public at any time. Once inside the station, you must not take out the weapon until requested to do so. 鈥淚f you have any queries, please do contact your local helpdesk.”