Wiltshire Police are taking part in a new national surrender and compensation scheme as the Government prepares to ban the possession of ninja swords and other dangerous bladed weapons.
The scheme launches on Monday, 1st July, and offers members of the public the chance to safely hand in prohibited items at designated police stations and apply for compensation where eligible.
The initiative is part of new legislation that will come into force on 1st August 2025, making it illegal to own certain types of bladed weapons, including so-called ninja swords, unless a specific legal defence applies. The aim is to reduce the availability of impractical and dangerous weapons that serve no legitimate purpose and are often glamorised in film and popular culture.
Designated police stations participating in the scheme are located in Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Salisbury, and Trowbridge. Individuals wishing to surrender a weapon must follow strict safety guidelines: all items must be made safe to handle, wrapped securely, and placed in a sealed bag or box. Items must not be carried openly in public and should only be removed from their container when asked to do so by a police officer or staff member at the station.
Temporary Superintendent Paul Saunders said the new legislation is a welcome development to help tackle the risks posed by such weapons. He explained that from 1st August, police will have enhanced powers to seize ninja swords and similar items, even from private homes. Possession of a prohibited weapon could result in prosecution and a custodial sentence of more than two years, regardless of whether there was intent to use the weapon.
He urged the public to use the surrender period responsibly and to follow the correct procedures for transport and handover. Full details of the items covered, eligibility criteria, and compensation levels are available through the official government website.
Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson voiced his full support for the scheme, stating that there is no practical reason for anyone to own a ninja sword in daily life. He highlighted that while Wiltshire has some of the lowest knife crime rates in the country, even a single incident involving a bladed weapon can have devastating consequences for victims, families, and communities. He added that the surrender scheme is a positive and preventative step, and part of a broader strategy that includes education, enforcement, and community engagement.
For those in possession of bladed articles that do not qualify for the surrender scheme, Wiltshire Police offer several year-round surrender bins. These are located at Wiltshire FA Headquarters in Devizes, as well as multiple sites across Swindon, including Broadgreen Community Centre, Liden Library, Pinehurst Community Centre, Walcot Dome, and Meadowcroft Playing Fields. Additional bins are available at New College’s Queen’s Drive and North Star campuses, and at John Moulton Hall in Swindon, thanks to the charity Owen’s World.
Anyone in possession of a prohibited weapon is strongly encouraged to act now and make use of the surrender window before the legislation takes effect on 1 August.
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