Merseyside Police begin "Ninja Sword" surrender across Liverpool City Region

Soon-to-be outlawed “ninja swords” can now be handed in to police as part of national surrender scheme running from 1 to 31 July 2025.

Merseyside Police is joining forces across the country to support the initiative, which aims to remove dangerous weapons from our streets and protect communities.

From 1 August 2025, it will be illegal to own, sell, or import ninja swords in England and Wales.

The weapon, commonly referred to as a “ninja sword”, is defined as a blade between 14 and 24 inches in length, with a primary and secondary straight cutting edge, a blunt spine, and either a tanto-style point or a reversed tanto-style point.

Anyone found in possession of one of these weapons after 1 August 2025 will be breaking the law and could face prosecution, including a potential prison sentence.

Merseyside Police is encouraging anyone who owns a ninja sword to hand them in safely and anonymously before the new law comes into effect. Under the updated Offensive Weapons Act, it will be illegal to keep these weapons in any private settings, including the home.

To encourage the surrender of these weapons, owners will be offered £5 compensation per item, but only during the four-week surrender period and if it was purchased before 27 March 2025.

Compensation is only available when the weapon is handed in at one of the designated police stations listed below.

Main Stations

Open Monday to Friday, 10am – 8pm | Saturday, 10am – 6pm

St Anne Street, Liverpool, L3 3HJ
Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 5EU
Huyton, Knowsley, L36 9XU
St Helens, WA10 1TG
Southport, Sefton, PR9 0LL

Sister Stations

Open Tuesday to Friday, 10am – 6pm

Admiral Street, Liverpool, L8 8JN
Wallasey, Wirral, CH44 1DA
Kirkby, Knowsley, L32 8RF
Newton-Le-Willows, St Helens, WA12 9BW
Bootle (Marsh Lane), Sefton, L20 5BW

Please take care when bringing a weapon to a surrender location. Items must be wrapped up and placed in a sealed bag or box. They must not be carried openly at any time.

If you are a retailer or member of the public who intends to surrender more than 10 items at one time, you must contact the designated police station in advance to make an appointment.

Anyone wishing to take part in the surrender and compensation scheme must first complete a short form. More information is available at: Ninja sword surrender and compensation scheme – GOV.UK

Superintendent Phil Mullally, Lead for Serious Violence and Knife Crime said:

“We’re pleased to support this national initiative to help rid our communities of dangerous knives and offensive weapons. Ninja swords are dangerous weapons that have no place on our streets.

“The scheme is running for four weeks, so that’s plenty of time for anyone who has one of these weapons in their home to hand it in at one of our designated stations, and we strongly encourage them to do so. We’ve had some good successes with our previous knife surrenders, including 50 weapons handed in during Sceptre in May.

“While incidents involving ninja swords are thankfully rare in Merseyside, this surrender supports our wider work to tackle knife crime and serious violence. Every weapon handed in is one less that could be used to cause harm.”

The surrender coincides with the launch of the Safer Streets Summer campaign, which will see enhanced uniformed patrols and targeted operations in town centres aimed at reducing antisocial behaviour and criminal activity, including shoplifting, violence, and knife crime.

Safer Streets Summer is part of the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee – a long-term commitment to increasing police visibility, particularly in town centres, and ensuring every urban and rural community has a named neighbourhood officer.

Superintendent Phil Mullally added:

“The Safer Streets Summer campaign and the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee are vital to our mission here in Merseyside. By increasing our visibility and presence in key areas, we’re not only deterring crime but also building stronger relationships with the communities we serve. Every neighbourhood deserves to feel safe and supported, and these initiatives help us deliver on that promise.”

“This summer and beyond, neighbourhood officers will be out in their areas carrying out high-visibility patrols, working closely with partners, and listening to residents’ concerns.

“We also need the public’s help – if you have any information about knife crime or those carrying weapons, please come forward to us, or report anonymously via Crimestoppers, so we can continue to take action.”

Find out more information on the Merseyside Police website.

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