APCC assertion on the introduction of the ninja sword ban

From at this time (1 August 2025), it’s unlawful to own, manufacture, import or promote ninja swords in England and Wales. Anyone caught in possession of this type of weapon in personal may face six months in jail, to be elevated to 2 years below the forthcoming Crime and Policing Bill. Those caught with a ninja sword in a public place already resist 4 years in jail.  

Marking the introduction of the ban, APCC Joint Leads on Serious Violence, Simon Foster, PCC for the West Midlands, and Matthew Barber, PCC for Thames Valley, stated:  

“We wholeheartedly again this ban. These deadly weapons haven’t any sensible use past inflicting severe hurt, so it’s completely proper that their possession ought to be outlawed.  

“The lives of far too many individuals are being misplaced or destroyed by knife crime, so Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and Deputy Mayors are absolutely supportive of measures that make the acquisition of weapons tougher. PCCs and Deputy Mayors maintain their police forces to account, in order to make sure sturdy disruption and enforcement. In addition, we should additionally give attention to the foundation causes behind an individual’s determination to hold a knife – a alternative that locations them at higher threat of turning into a sufferer of knife crime themselves.

“We wish to reassure native communities that PCCs and Deputy Mayors are working exhausting to boost consciousness of the hazards of carrying a knife and to vary behaviours which may result in knife crime. That contains in relation to regular family knives, which are usually utilized by criminals. Through our Violence Reduction Units, and the Serious Violence Duty, PCCs convey a variety of companions collectively – from training, well being, and youth justice – to ship a variety of programmes which assist stop knife crime and severe violence.

“We believe this new ban on Ninja swords will make a significant difference in the availability of these deadly weapons, including additional powers for the police to remove them, particularly in relation to gang related violence affecting young people, which, combined with the need for sustained and secure funding from the government, to ensure joined-up prevention and early interventions continue, will help make our streets safer.”