Current timestamp: 23/03/2023 07:52:40
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

Leicestershire Police logo

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Offensive Weapons Act 2019 bans the possession of dangerous items in private

Main article content

Navigation

News

13:58 14/07/2021

Changes to legislation brought about by the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 mean that from today (Wednesday 14 July) it is now an offence to possess certain items such as knuckledusters, throwing stars and zombie knives, even in private.

Other sections of the act that will start today include an updated definition of flick knives to reflect changes in weapon designs, and the banning of private possession of flick knives and gravity knives.

 

The rest of the act will commence later in the year, and will bring in new provisions for the control of goods sold online, as well as placing responsibility on delivery companies to conduct age verification at delivery stage. These are important developments that will help us to address the growing issue of online sale of knives.

Police and partners will be working to educate the public and the business community regarding these changes in legislation. The introduction of such measures will provide us with further means to help deter young people from becoming involved in knife possession and knife crime.

Detective Superintendent Michelle Keen, of Leicestershire Police’s Violent Complex Crime Unit, said: “Today we welcome the changes to the Offensive Weapons Act which will help our officers remove dangerous weapons from our streets.

 “Our officers are working hard to protect communities, tackle this abhorrent crime and educate people on the harm it causes and crucially, this new legislation will make it more difficult for young people to get hold of knives and other dangerous items in the first place.

“If you are a retail business we would urge you to make sure you are aware of how the change in legislation affects you.

“Knife crime remains a force priority for Leicestershire Police and the additions to the legislation will support our officers to further tackle serious violent crime.

“We hope that the new legislation acts as a deterrent to those who may have considered possessing a dangerous weapon and we would urge anyone with an illegal knife or weapon to take this opportunity to dispose of it safely and anonymously using one of our special surrender bins, they are located in number of locations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and details of their addresses can be found on our website.

“Knife crime has a devastating impact on both families and communities, and cannot be solved by policing alone. We have the complex task of trying to reach individuals motivated or pressured to carry knives and educate them about the serious consequences of carrying a weapon. We know that early years prevention is key to what we do and will continue to work in collaboration with partners, the community and the Violence Reduction Network in our joint commitment to tackle violent crime.

“We believe that violence is preventable and that everyone has a role to play. If you are looking for help and support, we want to emphasise that change is possible and there are resources available to adults and young people through our website.

“If you are a concerned family member or friend there is also information on our website to help you, including multi-lingual flyers and a 10 step guide to starting a conversation with a young person.

The public will be able to hand over unwanted knives to surrender bins at Mansfield House, Spinney Hill, Keyham Lane, Beaumont Leys and Braunstone police stations. The bins are available for people to safely and anonymously dispose of a knife. For more information on the amnesty bin locations please visit Leicestershire Police’s website here.

https://www.leics.police.uk/livesnotknives

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Leicestershire Police

  • Contact us
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Campaigns
  • News
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Say thanks
  • Make a complaint

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • Police and Crime Commissioner

Follow us on

© Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.