UK Bans Ninja Swords in Bid to Combat Knife Crime "Crisis"
The British government has announced plans to ban the possession of ninja swords, effective August 1, in a bid to combat what it has called a "national" knife crime "crisis".
What is the proposed ban?
The proposed ban will prohibit the possession of ninja swords, which are defined as having a blade between 36cm and 61cm and a sharply-angled tip. The ban is part of the so-called Ronan’s law, a raft of anti-knife crime measures introduced in parliament last month as part of the government’s crime and policing bill.
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
Anyone caught in possession of a ninja sword in private could face up to six months in prison, with the penalty set to rise to two years under forthcoming legislation. There is already a penalty of up to four years in prison for carrying any weapon in public.
What is the context behind the ban?
The ban is part of a broader effort to tackle knife crime, which has been steadily rising in England and Wales since 2011. According to official government data, there were 50,973 offences involving a sharp instrument in the year ending June 2024, a 41% increase from the year ending March 2011. The government has also introduced a ban on "zombie" type knives and machetes, which were introduced in September 2024.
What is Ronan’s law?
Ronan’s law is a package of measures aimed at reducing knife crime, including the ban on ninja swords. The law is named after teenager Ronan Kanda, who was murdered with a ninja sword in 2022 by two other teenagers in a case of mistaken identity. The law also includes measures to make retailers report bulk or suspicious sales to police and to increase the jail term for selling weapons to children to two years.
What does the prime minister say about knife crime?
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described knife crime as a "national crisis", and the government is taking steps to address the issue. The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, has also spoken out about the issue, saying that knife crime is "destroying young lives as too many teenagers are being drawn into violence and it is far too easy for them to get hold of dangerous weapons".
FAQs
- What is a ninja sword?
A ninja sword is a type of sword with a blade between 36cm and 61cm and a sharply-angled tip. - What is the penalty for non-compliance with the ban?
The penalty for non-compliance with the ban is up to six months in prison, with the penalty set to rise to two years under forthcoming legislation. - What is Ronan’s law?
Ronan’s law is a package of measures aimed at reducing knife crime, including the ban on ninja swords. - What is the context behind the ban?
The ban is part of a broader effort to tackle knife crime, which has been steadily rising in England and Wales since 2011.