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Zombie Knife
Anna Firth MP pictured with the ‘zombie knife’ that was seized by Police in Leigh.
A LARGE ‘zombie knife’ which was seized by police from a Leigh teenager has sparked concern from the MP for Southend West.
Police discovered the weapon adorned with ‘violent’ imagery recently, leading Anna Firth MP to call for change over legality of possessing offensive weapons.
Anna Firth said: “This ‘zombie knife’ was confiscated from a 17-year-old boy in his home in Leigh over Christmas.
“Had the officers of Essex Police – Southend District not discovered its packaging covered with violent imagery, this dangerous weapon would have likely remained at home with the young man, as it would be technically legal to possess it in a private setting.”
She said there was what she called a ‘loophole’ in the Offensive Weapons Act law that needs to be fixed.
She continued: “Reckless retailers are circumventing a loophole in the law by removing violent imagery on blades and their handles for one purpose – to cash in on crime.
“To me, this simply isn’t acceptable. The possession of such dangerous blades in a private place is also not acceptable.
“There is a loophole in the Offensive Weapons Act law that needs to be fixed and I am working with Southend Police and Home Office Minister Chris Philp MP to plug it.
“The solution is simple – to omit ‘images or words suggesting it is used for violence’ in the Offensive Weapons Act’s definition of ‘zombie knife.’
“Doing this will give police the power to take these weapons out of private possession and bring the owners to justice.”