A month-long amnesty event has launched today ahead of a new law surrounding ninja swords.

Forces across the country are supporting a new Home Office surrender and compensation scheme for the weapons, which starts today (July 1).

Running until July 31, the scheme is to be the largest surrender scheme conducted in England and Wales to date.

It has been launched ahead of new legislation coming into effect on 1 August, which will make it a criminal offence to possess ninja swords as well as manufacture, import or sell them. 

This legislation will make it a criminal offence to possess ninja swords (Image via: Cheshire Constabulary)

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 help desks across Cheshire.

These include:

• 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 27 March 2025. 

Only ninja swords legally bought before 27 March this year will be eligible for compensation.

Anyone who currently owns one is strongly encouraged to surrender it before they become illegal, irrespective of the compensation scheme. 

It is already a criminal offence to carry the weapons in public (Image via: Cheshire Constabulary)

Compensation can only be claimed at the same time as a weapon is being handed over.

Those doing so should download and complete a compensation form before attending one of the five designated Cheshire Police help desks.

Possession 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: "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 help desk."