OWNERS of soon-to-be illegal zombie knives and machetes in West Yorkshire will be able to claim £10 per weapon by surrendering them.
The Home Office is launching a national surrender scheme from next Monday ahead of new legislation coming into effect.
From September 24, it will be illegal to own zombie-style knives and machetes as they will be added to the list of dangerous prohibited items already banned, including butterfly knives, Samurai swords and push daggers.
People in West Yorkshire who bought and legally own such weapons will be able to hand them in at five designated police stations, including Trafalgar House in Bradford, and claim compensation.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "To be eligible to claim compensation for one of the zombie-style knives or zombie-style machetes, you must lawfully own the item and be able to provide proof, such as a receipt.
"Those who present weapons will be able to claim compensation of £10 per weapon. That compensation will only be paid on claims that total £30 or more with proof of ownership needed for each item.
"However, we encourage everyone who currently owns one of these zombie knives to surrender it to the police before they become illegal, irrespective of the compensation scheme.
"Compensation can only be claimed at the same time as a weapon is being handed over, and those doing so should download and complete a compensation form before attending one of the police station."
The form, along with more details of the scheme, can be found on the UK Government website at www.gov.uk/government/publications/compensation-scheme-for-zombie-knives-and-machetes
People who own weapons banned under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 after September 24 will be prosecuted and could face up to four years in prison.
Chief Inspector James Kitchen, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "It is clearly very good news that these weapons are soon to be made illegal, and I would urge anyone who legally owns one to take advantage of this new amnesty and hand them in.
"Many of these zombie-style knives and machetes are clearly designed to intimidate and cause harm, rather than for any practical purpose, so the ban will support us by significantly reducing their availability."
He added: "The Home Office is paying compensation for each zombie-style blade handed in, so clearly it is in the interests of owners to do the right thing and dispose of these blades safely with us before it becomes a crime to posses them.
"While West Yorkshire Police is taking part in the national surrender, I do want to reassure residents that if any weapons are handed to us which are linked to crime, we will of course fully investigate and take necessary action.
"This is an amnesty for items which are currently legally held but soon to be banned, it is not an amnesty on those who have already committed serious violence.
"It is also a reminder that these zombie-style knives are adding to a significant number of weapons that are already illegal to not only possess in public but to have in your home.
"During the surrender, officers working on Operation Jemlock - which aims to tackle knife crime - will also be visiting those who currently sell these weapons to remind them of the new legislation and facilitate any large amnesty.
"Reducing knife crime remains a priority for West Yorkshire Police and the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership and we fully investigate all incidents of serious violence."
Director of the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership, Detective Chief Superintendent Lee Berry, added: "Our focus is always on prevention and if this surrender acts as an incentive to take deadly weapons off the streets, then it can only benefit our communities.
"Working with the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe, we have supported the change in legislation that makes zombie knives illegal.
"We must continue to work together to stop knives reaching people’s hands in the first place and we are behind West Yorkshire Police in this latest scheme."
Policing Minister Diana Johnson said: "Too many people have access to weapons that can lead to devastating, life-changing consequences.
"There is no legitimate need for a weapon of this kind to be in our homes or on our streets."
Full details of the soon-to-be banned weapons can be found at www.gov.uk/government/publications/compensation-scheme-for-zombie-knives-and-machetes
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