Warwickshire Police appeal for ninja sword owners to surrender weapons
The sword will become illegal to own from August following new legislation
Warwickshire Police are urging anyone who owns a ninja sword to surrender the weapon before they become illegal to own.
The force has launched a number of surrender bins across the county as part of a major crackdown on bladed articles.
The move came after legislation was was passed to make it tougher for people to own knifes or blades that "have no practical purpose" other than being used as a weapon.
A new ban came following the death of a 16-year-old boy in Wolverhampton in 2022, and the new law states all ninja weapons will become illegal to own, manufacture or import from August 1st.
The force has now launched a surrender campaign, with bins being offered around the county from July until August when the ban comes into force.
A ninja sword is legally defined as "a fixed bladed article with a blade between 14-24 inches (the length of the blade being the straight-line distance from the top of the handle to the tip of the blade)."
The knives also include a "straight cutting edge" and a "tanto-style point" both on the front and the back of the blade.
Those who wish to surrender their weapons will be able to deposit their weapons in bins in Rugby, Leamington, Stratford and Nuneaton police stations.