This knife - bought over the counter at a Greater Manchester shop - will soon be illegal

A major law change will take effect next week in a bid to tackle the scourge of knife crime. 'Zombie-style' knives and machetes which meet certain criteria will be banned from Tuesday, September 24.

It follows years of campaigning by the loved ones of those whose lives have tragically been cut short by stabbings across the country. Greater Manchester is no stranger to knife crime, with too many young lives ended by knives in recent years.

Yet getting hold of a deadly knife on the streets of Greater Manchester proved to be worryingly easy in a Manchester Evening News investigation earlier this year. In May, the M.E.N. purchased a large knife from Kitraco, in Stockport.

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The knife was 13 inches long with a pointed end. One curved side has a smooth blade for cutting, while the other end has a serrated edge.

When approached for comment following the sale, the shop owner said he 'follows the law' and the sale was 'legal in the UK'. He added: "If the government don't allow it, nobody sells it."

But from next Tuesday, the knife will fall foul of the law. The new legislation means it will be against the law to own a 'zombie-style' knife or machete which has a plain cutting edge, a sharp pointed end and a blade of more than eight inches, plus at least one of the following:

• a serrated cutting edge over two inches long
• more than one hole in the blade
• spikes
• more than two sharp points in the blade.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed the knife purchased by the M.E.N. in May will be illegal from next Tuesday. Anyone who possesses one of these knives can hand them in by Monday, September 23, and receive compensation.

How to hand over knives

Knives can be handed in to certain police stations in Greater Manchester including Cheadle Heath, Ashton, Oldham, North Manchester at Central Park or at the City Centre Public Enquiry Counter at Manchester Town Hall. Compensation can be claimed at the same time.

A form must be downloaded from the GMP website, completed and brought into the station with the knife or machete. The force has said that anyone taking part in the scheme should carry the claim form in case they are stopped by police on the way to the station.

At the police station, do not take the item out until a police officer or a member of police staff asks you to do so. Alternatively, you can also hand in knives anonymously by putting them in surrender bins which are available across the country.

Claims for compensation must be made when you hand the knife or knives over to the police. You will not be able to claim later. You will need to complete the surrender and compensation form to make a claim. The standard compensation for each item is £10.

You cannot claim compensation for less than £30 which means that, in most cases, you can only claim for three items or more. However, if you think your surrendered item is worth more than £10, you can claim for the higher amount with supporting evidence.

All claim forms will be sent to the Home Office for processing.