Sadiq Khan calls for urgent ban on zombie-style knives and machetes

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has urged ministers to speed up the ban on zombie-style knives and machetes following a spate of teenage attacks in the capital.

The government announced plans to ban the knives in August giving police officers more powers to seize and destroy such weapons with no practical use.

However City Hall says the weapons are still available to purchase cheaply and legally online.

The mayor has written to the home secretary Suella Braverman saying he welcomes recent government announcements in this area but reiterated that there is no time to waste in introducing this legislation – and that it must be toughened up.

He has highlighted a number of loopholes in the current proposals that should be closed immediately.

In particular, the proposed new measures cover knives that have either a serrated edge, more than one hole in the blade, or multiple sharp spikes.

He argued manufacturers will find ways around new rules governing how the law defines a zombie knife, and called for an outright ban on machetes.

Currently machete-style knives that have a "legitimate use" are legal, which includes for work or leisure.

But the mayor warns there is not enough evidence to support these types of knives being used for such purposes, and that they are purchased solely to inflict harm, violence and to intimidate.

Mayor Khan said:“I am urging the government to urgently bring forward the long-awaited legislation banning zombie-style knives and machetes as soon as Parliament returns.

“Ministers have my full support on this, and I’ve welcomed their announcements to tighten up the law. But the time for talking is over and we need to speed up the legislation so we can ban these awful weapons as soon as possible. The proposals also need to be toughened up to close the loopholes that could still allow the sale of these weapons.

“I’m determined to do everything in my power to end the scourge of knife crime and continue leading from the front to build a safe London for everyone.”

The calls come following the deaths of two teenagers in London within the last week.

A 16-year-old boy was stabbed to death in Edmonton on Sunday October 1, just days after the fatal stabbing of 15-year-old schoolgirl Elianne Andam who was killed during last Wednesday’s morning rush hour in Croydon.

So far this year a total of 17 teenagers have lost their lives in the capital this year.

Labour Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Knife crime destroys lives, devastates families and creates fear and trauma in communities. 225,000 young people were victims of violence last year - the highest for over a decade. The Conservatives are failing a generation.

“They keep announcing they will ban lethal zombie knives and machetes. But time and again, they are too slow to act. Enough is enough. We need urgent action. These dangerous weapons have no place on our streets.”

Those involved in importing or selling banned weapons could face two years behind bars - up from six months - under plans announced last month. Police will also be able to seize and destroy knives found on private premises if there are reasonable grounds to think they will be used in a serious crime.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: “Knife crime tears families apart, and we are committed to addressing the root causes of this violence.

“It is already an offence to carry a bladed item over three inches in public without good reason and it is also an offence to threaten them with such a weapon. We are also giving the police more powers to seize these dangerous weapons.”