Current timestamp: 30/01/2023 18:17:34
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

northants-logo-7

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

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Do you have any illegal weapons in your home?

Main article content

Navigation

News

12:23 05/11/2021

Northamptonshire Police is reminding the public that it’s now an offence to possess dangerous items such as throwing stars, zombie knives and decorative swords.

Changes to the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 which were brought in on July 14 this year have extended the banning of all weapons in public to now include private settings, which means people can no longer keep them at home.

While other sections of the Offensive Weapons Act introduced included an updated definition of flick knives to reflect changes in weapon designs, and the banning of private possession of both flick and gravity knives.

The reminder has been issued as part of the Force’s knife crime campaign which aims to prevent and tackle this type of offending by raising awareness of common misconceptions around carrying knives.

Since the introduction of the new legislation, 18 people have been arrested for the possession of an offensive weapon after searches of private addresses as part of the investigation for unrelated matters.

Seven of the arrests were in Northampton, and there were two in Wellingborough, Corby, Kettering, East Northamptonshire, South Northamptonshire and one in the Daventry area. Among the items seized were zombie and lock knives, telescopic truncheons, and knuckle dusters.

Superintendent Adam Ward, who is leading the Force’s campaign, said: “The harm caused to families and communities through the tragic loss of life relating to knife crime is devastating which is why it is a matter of priority to us.

“These new measures will go some way in helping to take weapons off our streets and to make it more difficult for people to get hold of knives and other dangerous items in the first place.

“However, although the majority don’t carry knives in public, it is really important they are aware of these changes to the Offensive Weapons Act to ensure that they are not unintentionally committing an offence.

“We are committed to both preventing people carrying knives in the first place as well as taking robust action against offenders, and some of the items mentioned in the legislation are advertised as decorative pieces when in reality they could be used to do a great deal of harm.”

The maximum penalty for an adult carrying a knife is four years in prison and an unlimited fine. You’ll get a prison sentence if you’re convicted of carrying a knife more than once.

Information on the new legislation can be found here or for more details about our knife crime campaign visit www.northants.police.uk/knifecrime

Our neighbourhood policing teams are holding amnesty events across the county, where you can hand in a knife or other weapons safely and without repercussions. For more details check out their social media pages.

Up to four years in prison.jpg

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

Northamptonshire Police

  • Contact us
  • About us
  • News
  • Careers
  • Campaigns
  • 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
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

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

Follow us on

© Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.