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The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) has welcomed and “wholeheartedly backed” a new ban on ninja swords, which came into force on 1 August in England and Wales.
It is now illegal to possess, manufacture, import or sell a ninja sword, even in private. Offenders face up to six months in prison – a penalty that will increase to two years under the forthcoming Crime and Policing Bill. Possession of a ninja sword in a public place already carries a maximum sentence of four years.
The government had pledged to outlaw the blades as part of its manifesto in the run-up to the 2024 election. The pledge came following the death of 16-year-old Ronan Kanda, who was murdered with a ninja sword bought online.
APCC joint leads on serious violence, Simon Foster, PCC for the West Midlands, and Matthew Barber, PCC for Thames Valley, described the weapons as “lethal” and said they have “no practical use beyond causing serious harm.”
They added: “The lives of far too many people are being lost or destroyed through knife crime, so Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and Deputy Mayors are fully supportive of measures that make the acquisition of weapons harder. PCCs and Deputy Mayors hold their police forces to account, so as to ensure robust disruption and enforcement.”
They also highlighted the importance of addressing the root causes behind a person’s decision to carry a knife – a choice that, they warned, “places them at greater risk of becoming a victim of knife crime themselves.” The APCC stressed that PCCs and Deputy Mayors are committed to raising awareness of the dangers of carrying knives and to changing behaviours that can lead to serious violence. This includes tackling the misuse of common household knives, which are often used in violent offences.
Through Violence Reduction Units and the Serious Violence Duty, PCCs bring together partners from education, health and youth justice to deliver targeted prevention programmes. Foster and Barber said the new ban “will make a significant difference in the availability of these deadly weapons, including additional powers for the police to remove them, particularly in relation to gang-related violence affecting young people.”
They added that sustained and secure government funding is vital to ensure joined-up prevention and early intervention work continues, helping to make streets and communities across England and Wales safer.
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