Ninja swords to be surrendered to Devon and Cornwall Police
Ninja-style swords will be illegal to own nationwide from 1 August 2025
People in Devon and Cornwall are being urged to hand in Ninja-style swords, ahead of a nationwide ban.
Ninja style swords will be illegal to own from 1 August 2025, so it will be an offence to possess a Ninja sword unless a specific legal defence applies.
Devon & Cornwall Police will be supporting the national Ninja sword surrender and compensation scheme, which will run from 1 to 31 July.
Owners of this type of sword are being offered the chance to surrender them at local police stations. In some cases they may be able to claim compensation if eligible.
DI Kev Morley said: "We've seen them used for violent acts. For an item which many may consider to use for decorative purposed but a great deal more are using them to cause harm or threaten violence.
"A ninja sword is defined as anything from 14-24 inches as a blade."
Compensation can be claimed if a sword is surrendered during the surrender period – 1 to 31 July - and a claim submitted at a designated police station. To be eligible for compensation, a person must have been the lawful owner of the sword on or before 25 March 2025 and be able to provide proof (e.g. invoice or receipt).
Once the surrender period comes to an end, Ninja swords will be prohibited. People will still be able to surrender items to the police, but will not be able to claim compensation.