Dorset Police has joined a month-long government initiative to remove 'zombie knives' from the streets.

All police departments in England and Wales have teamed up for this action starting today, August 26.

A new law, effective from Tuesday, September 24, will make the possession of certain types of 'zombie' knives and machetes illegal.

Zombie-style weapons are defined legally as those having a blade length exceeding eight inches, a plain cutting edge and a sharp pointed end.

They may also possess a serrated cutting edge, multiple holes in the blade, spikes, and more than two sharp points in the blade.

Until September 23, owners of these weapons can surrender them and become eligible for compensation.

Superintendent Andrew Bell of Dorset Police said: "We take knife crime very seriously in Dorset and will continue to educate the public and aim to remove knife crime from the streets.

"This month of surrender builds on the foundation laid by the Offensive Weapons Act 2019, broadening the classification of what is a 'zombie style knife' to a more operationally useful definition, which should help officers to identify and seize more weapons that could be used in the commission of violent crime on the streets."

Police stations in Bournemouth, Weymouth, and Poole have been designated by Dorset Police for the public to surrender weapons and make compensation claims.

Addresses and opening times for these stations can be found here: www.dorset.police.uk/contact/find-a-police-station.

Dorset police and crime commissioner, David Sidwick, said: "Tackling knife crime in Dorset is a priority and I want to assure residents that work is relentless to ensure our current low rate of knife crime remains that way.

"However, knife crime and the issues which surround it, cannot be solved through policing alone.

"That’s why surrender schemes such as this, along with robust enforcement, strong partnership work, early intervention and education, and the help of the public, are so vital in our fight to tackle this critical issue and remove dangerous weapons from the streets.

"I would strongly encourage anyone in possession of these weapons to surrender them as part of this scheme."

To report concerns about knife crime or if you know someone carrying a knife, contact Dorset Police using the intelligence portal on their website (www.dorset.police.uk/intelligence) or report information to the independent charity CrimeStoppers, either by calling 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

If a crime is in progress or a life is in danger, always dial 999.