Bereaved Essex grandma says ninja sword ban "essential" to preventing deaths two weeks in to amnesty
Julie Taylor's grandson Liam died in 2020 after being stabbed outside a pub in Writtle
An Essex grandma whose grandson was stabbed to death says the upcoming ban on the large knives, ninja swords, is "essential" to preventing deaths through knife crime.
Julie Taylor's grandson Liam died in 2020 after he was stabbed to death outside a pub in Writtle.
Julie has campaigned for change since, distributing bleed kits across Essex and giving educational talks in police stations, schools and prisons.
She tells Greatest Hits Radio:
"Every life is a potential life lost. We shouldn't have any knives on our streets, especially large ones such as these.
"If you've got any unwanted knives I can't tell you enough to go to your nearest amnesty bin, there are so many around.
From 1 July to 31 July a Home Office lead national surrender scheme is in place, including in Essex, to encourage members of the public who may be in possession of ninja style knives or swords, to hand them in.
It's ahead of a change in law on August 1st 2025 which will see it illegal to own these types of weapons.
The amnesty follows the success of the zombie knife and machete surrender scheme held in summer 2024 which saw more than 200 knives handed in at police station front counters across Essex, and many more deposited in the county’s knife bins.
Roger Hirst, Essex PFCC and Chair of the Violence and Vulnerability Partnership said: "I personally would like to see a knife license. People that need it should go to the council and fill out a form every year.
“Knives have no place on our country’s street, and here in Essex we are making great strides in reducing knife crime across the county.
"Since our Violence and Vulnerability Unit was established in 2019, over £9 million of investment has been brought into the county and during this time we have seen a 24% reduction in Knife Crime, with hospitals reporting over 50% reduction in knife harm incidents.
“Providing the right support at the right time is critical to ending knife violence within our communities, and means less children, young people and the vulnerable preyed on."
Essex VVU has resources on knife harm to support parents and carers speak to their young people about knife crime, more information can be found at www.essexvvu.co.uk/knives .
Individuals in possession of a ninja style knife can hand it in either at an Essex Police station, or deposit it safely in one of the county’s knife bins.
A list of the locations of knife bins is available here.
In some cases compensation may be offered if the knife is handed in during the amnesty.
More information can be found on the Essex Police website.