The Home Office will pay people who hand in ninja swords across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire in a month-long amnesty. 

Staffordshire Police is joining forces across the country in supporting a new surrender and compensation scheme for the soon-to-be-banned weapon. 

Starting today until 31 July, ninja sword owners in North Staffordshire can surrender them at Longton Police Station between 8am and 5pm.

The scheme has been launched ahead of new legislation coming into effect on 1 August which will make it a criminal offence to possess ninja swords in private or manufacture, import, or sell them. 

Ninja sword owners will receive £5 for every ninja sword surrendered but "applicants will be able to claim the value of their weapon if it exceeds this amount" as long as a valid proof of purchase is provided showing it was lawfully bought before 27 March 2025.

The compensation amount is decided by the Home Office.

Chief inspector Dave Barrow, force knife crime lead, said: "We welcome this Home Office surrender for ninja swords, and I would urge anyone who owns one to take advantage of the scheme and hand it in.

"We are committed to tackling knife crime in Staffordshire and our work will be further strengthened by this new legislation, reducing the availability of ninja swords and increasing policing powers to seize them. 

"By surrendering a knife, you're helping us prevent violence, save lives, and protect the future of our communities."

Examples of ninja swords (Cheshire Police)

Ninja swords are defined as having a blade between 14 and 24 inches, a straight cutting edge, and a tanto-style point (angled tip) and anyone who wants to surrender more than five swords must book an appointment first.

Only ninja swords legally bought before March 27 this year will be eligible for compensation but all owners are being encouraged to hand them over to police.

People claiming compensation for their ninja sword must take a printed and completed form to the station which you can find here.