Owners of ninja swords will be able to surrender them at police stations in Kent ahead of them becoming illegal later this summer.

The Government-led scheme will run from 1 to 31 July 2025 to allow any member of the public to hand in the weapons safely.

From 1 August anyone caught in possession of a ninja sword in private could face up to six months in prison, later increasing to two years under new measures in the Crime and Policing Bill.

There is already a penalty of up to four years in prison for carrying any weapon in public.

Ninja swords usually have a blade of between 14 and 24 inches with one straight cutting edge with a ‘tanto’ style point.

Surrender locations

The weapons can be surrendered at the following locations in Kent:

Canterbury Police Station in Old Dover Road.

Folkestone Police Station in Bouverie Road West.

Maidstone Police Station in Palace Avenue.

Margate Police Station on Fort Hill.

Medway Police Station in Purser Way, Gillingham.

North Kent Police Station in Thames Way, Northfleet.

Tonbridge Police Station in Pembury Road.

Anyone handing in a ninja sword must take all reasonable steps to ensure it is safe to handle whilst travelling to the station and on police premises. Please contact the station prior to attendance by calling 101, selecting option 3 and asking for the station you are attending.

The sword must be wrapped and placed in a sealed bag or box, and not carried openly in public at any time. Once inside the station, you must not take out the weapon until requested to do so.

Further information is available on the Government website.