Police set to ban dangerous ninja swords

Greater Manchester Police is reminding people to hand over ninja swords before they become illegal this week.

The dangerous weapons will be banned from Friday, August 1, 2025, and a surrender scheme took place throughout July, offering members of the public the opportunity to safely and discreetly dispose of these before they become illegal. 

If you owned a ninja sword purchased before March 27, 2025, you may be eligible for compensation. However, if purchased after that date, they can still be surrendered but are not eligible for compensation. 

Full details, including the forms needed to claim compensation, can be found on the government website: Ninja sword surrender and compensation scheme - GOV.UK 

The surrender scheme closes at 23:59 on Thursday, July 31. Possession of the item after this date will be illegal and could result in a prison sentence. 

Blades between 14-24 inches long with a single straight cutting edge and distinctive tanto-style point are classed as ninja swords. 

If wishing to claim compensation, ninja swords must be taken to Oldham Police Station, Barn Street, Oldham, OL1 1LR.

Police stations are only accepting ninja swords, not other weapons. If you would like to dispose of a ninja sword without visiting a police station or claiming compensation, you can also take it, or any other knife, to one of the following surrender bins anonymously. All bins are accessible 24/7:

• Heywood Police Station (located outside), Heywood, Queens Park Road, OL10 4HA
• Middleton Police Station (located outside), Middleton, Oldham Road, M24 1AY
• Queen Street, Pemberton, Wigan, WN5 0BL
• Rochdale Police Station (located outside), The Esplanade, Rochdale, OL16 1AG

The surrender bins and Faz Amnesty Van have been created as a completely anonymous scheme with no questions asked. You will not face consequences for surrendering any bladed weapons during July.

Only those wishing to surrender ninja swords at police stations will be required to give personal details to receive compensation.

If you own a ninja sword, it is your responsibility to ensure that you transport it safely to a surrender bin or a designated police station.

People are asked to wrap your weapon in newspaper, bubble wrap, or cloth, then place it in a sturdy bag or box that's completely sealed. Don't label the package and go directly to the surrender location without making stops.