By Joshua Robinson –
Crimes involving zombie knives and machetes have skyrocketed across West Yorkshire in the last three years as well as the number of teens involved as either victims or suspects.
A zombie knife is a bladed weapon that has been increasingly linked to violent crimes and gang use. Inspired by zombie films, they often have one smooth blade and one serrated edge.
An investigation by Personal Injury Claims UK has found that young people, under 18, who have either been victims or suspects of crimes involving these weapons has risen by 48% since 2021.
The number of zombie knife crimes across West Yorkshire has jumped by 32% in the last three years alone, with the highest figures recorded last year, 2023.
This is despite police and government crackdowns on the weapons which appears to be having little success in slowing the crime rate.
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In 2021, there were 233 young people involved in zombie knife crime, which rose to 344 teenagers who were either victims or suspects last year, according to West Yorkshire Police.
The force confirmed a total of 2,580 crimes involving zombie knives or machetes in the past three years.
New legislation is expected to come into play in September 2024. It will see a complete prohibition of the blades, and anyone found in possession will be subject to jail time.
The weapons were technically banned in 2016 but a loophole has seen them remain on the streets. Under current legislation, only knives that are “designed to look intimidating and threatening” are banned.
Popular actor and rapper Idris Elba recently launched a campaign focused on youth violence and began lobbying for zombie knives and machetes to be banned immediately.
In January 2024, Elba said the start date for the government’s ban is “far too long away” and called for additional support for community groups tackling knife crime.
Personal Injury Claims UK offers a specialist service for anyone looking for support and advice following a knife crime.
They operate a 24-hour helpline and live chat service which you can access on their website.
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