Month-long Ninja Sword amnesty launched ahead of legislation change

Cheshire Police are joining partner forces across the country in supporting a new Home Office surrender and compensation scheme for the soon to be banned weapons, starting on July 1 and running up to July 31.  

The scheme, which is to be the largest surrender scheme conducted in England and Wales to date, is being launching ahead of new legislation which will come into effect on 1 August making it a criminal offence to possess ninja swords in private or manufacture, import, or sell them.  

It is already a criminal offence to carry the weapons in public and can result of a custodial sentence of up to four years.

Ninja swords are defined as having a blade between 14 and 24 inches, a straight cutting edge, and a tanto-style point (angled tip).

Anyone who bought and owns the weapons will be able to hand them in ahead of the legislation change at police station helpdesks across Cheshire:

• Blacon Police Station - Blacon Avenue, Chester CH1 5BD
• Crewe Police Station - Civic Centre, Crewe CW1 2DQ
• Macclesfield Police Station - Brunswick Street, Macclesfield SK10 1HQ
• Warrington Police Station - Arpley Street, Warrington WA1 1LQ
• Widnes Police Station - John Briggs House, Gerrard Street, Widnes WA8 6BE

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 27 March this year will be eligible for compensation, but we encourage everyone who currently owns one of these swords to surrender it to the police before they become illegal, irrespective of the compensation scheme.  

Compensation can only be claimed at the same time as a weapon is being handed over and 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, who is leading Cheshire’s response to the amnesty, said:

“Our officers work tirelessly all year round to keep the county’s streets weapons free and to reduce the number of incidents involving knives and other bladed articles.

“As 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.

“Anyone 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.

“If you have any queries, please do contact your local helpdesk.”