Zombie knives are ornate knives inspired by zombie movies. Their handles are colorful and their blades are often decorated - for example with skulls. More and more young people in Britain, sometimes even children, are carrying these knives, Tyler Clancy, an expert in child and youth work, told the BBC. According to him, young people do it because they are afraid and see the knife as a means of intimidation.
There are now even 6-7 year olds carrying knives, says social worker Zac Dugdale. And expert Martin Bisp talks about "normalization". Going outside without a knife is like leaving home without a mobile phone, a young man once told him, German public media ARD reports in its publication.
According to police data, almost 20% of knife rapists in 2023 were young people between the ages of 10 and 17. Especially in London, there has been a serious increase in this type of violence: by 16%, attacks have increased between March 2023 and March 2024. In the whole country during this period, they are about 50,000, which represents an increase of 7%, specifies ARD.
Police have also registered around 28,000 cases of illegal possession of knives. Attacks are often fatal. In London alone last year, 18 teenagers died in knife attacks.
Up to 4 years in prison
Now a new law is supposed to solve this problem, banning zombie knives and machetes. Until now, there was a loophole that allowed certain types of these knives to remain legal. From September 24 onwards, however, the production, transport, sale and possession of all types will be prohibited. Violators can be sentenced to up to four years in prison.
Until then, police are asking owners to hand in their knives voluntarily to police stations. The bonus of 10 pounds for a surrendered knife (about 12 euros) is intended as an incentive. The highest premium is £30.
Furthermore, knives will not be checked for fingerprints. So no one should be afraid, the police emphasize. That is why the campaign is also known as the "amnesty of zombie knives", the German publication points out. For many relatives of victims, this is a first step in the right direction, but it is not enough. Under British gun law, the private possession of many knives is prohibited. However, kitchen knives are not counted, ARD specifies.
This is also why relatives and activists are calling for attention to be paid to the causes of knife attacks. In London, knife crime has traditionally been associated with gang rivalry, says James Alexander, research fellow at the Institute of Criminology at London Metropolitan University. This problem is particularly acute in poor parts of the city, where gangs are supposed to offer some security.
Three main factors for this type of violence
Although according to NHS data, more black people or members of other national minorities seek medical care for stab wounds, poverty is the most favorable factor - even in predominantly white British neighborhoods, says Alexander.< /p>
According to Peter Neirud of the Institute for the Study of Crime at the University of Cambridge, three factors favor knife violence: drugs, previous experience of violence and mental health problems. So, apart from collecting knives and machetes, the new Labor government still has a long way to go. As ARD recalls, it promised to halve the number of knife attacks in 10 years.
Francisca Hoppen (ARD)