In Sgt Mark Radford’s latest Isle of Wight Police update on social media, he explains the new law surrounding possession of offensive weapons – which now includes some items previously permitted in the home. Ed
There was an update in law earlier this year that is definitely worth knowing about. My team have seized a few items from addresses recently.
The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 bans the possession of dangerous items in homes.
In an effort to tackle violent crime, a ban on a wide range of knives, weapons and firearms came into force from 14th July, with changes to legislation brought about by the Offensive Weapons Act 2019.
This means that some legal articles that were previously legal to own in the home are now illegal. It’s now an offence to keep items such as knuckledusters, flick knives, curved swords, throwing stars, zombie knives, telescopic truncheons and push daggers in your home.
Click on image to see larger version
This list is not exhaustive and there are many other items that are now illegal to own or possess.
Permitted items
This includes any knives with a blade longer than 50cm, unless it falls within one of the following categories:
- The knife was hand forged in a traditional way
- At least 100 years of age
- A samurai sword made before 1954.
Safe retailing
The law will also change on safe retailing for buying knives in store and online. This provision will commence later in the year.
If you have any of these items, please destroy them. Looking at a few of them it makes sense in the current day and age we live in that no-one should possess these.
More information and a video can be found on the Website.
Image: istolethetv under CC BY 2.0
