Effective Friday, new legislation has been enacted, prompted by an increase in knife violence and growing public demand for action.
As confirmed by the UK Home Office, ninja swords are now prohibited across England and Wales under new regulations implemented this Friday. Carrying such a weapon in public may result in a jail term of up to four years.
This measure forms part of a broader governmental initiative designed to reduce knife-related crime. The Home Office reported that more than 1,000 weapons were handed in during a month-long amnesty drive in July, intended to clear hazardous objects from communities.
The prohibition comes in the wake of numerous deadly knife assaults that have deeply disturbed the country. One such incident occurred in 2024, when 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana caused the deaths of three girls and wounded 10 individuals at a Taylor Swift-themed children’s performance in Southport.
This incident intensified public outrage, prompting government ministers to commit to stricter regulations on online weapon transactions, enhanced age verification, and prohibitions on specific bladed instruments like zombie knives and machetes.
During 2024, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer characterized knife crime as an epidemic and pledged vigorous action against deadly weaponry. He subsequently affirmed that ninja swords would be outlawed, asserting the government’s commitment to fulfilling its pledges.
This new legislation falls under “Ronan’s Law,” established in memory of 16-year-old Ronan Kanda, who tragically died in 2022 due to a ninja sword. The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) expressed that this prohibition will contribute to decreasing the availability of these weapons, particularly in conflicts linked to gangs.
The APCC further indicated its intention to investigate the motivations behind individuals carrying knives and strategies for prevention. They added that the prohibition grants law enforcement additional authority to confiscate such weapons and safeguard communities.
The act of possessing a ninja sword within one’s home carries a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment; however, this could increase to two years under a forthcoming Crime and Policing Bill currently undergoing parliamentary review.
Official figures released by Britain’s interior ministry and the Home Office reveal an 87% surge in knife crime across England and Wales over the last ten years. In the past year alone, nearly 55,000 knife-related occurrences were documented, marking a 2% increase compared to 2023.