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Government response to consultation on Prohibiting Ninja swords: legal description and defences

My Rt Hon Friend the Minister of State for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention (Dame Diana Johnson) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement:

The Government is today publishing its response to the public consultation on Prohibiting Ninja swords: legal description and defences. The consultation ran between 13 November and 11 December 2024. This was open to the public, businesses, voluntary sector and community groups, and other organisations with a direct interest in the proposals.

The consultation received a total of 312 completed responses, and we are grateful to all those who took the time to respond. The Government response sets out our consideration of these responses.

The Government will introduce legislation to amend the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) Order 1988, adding Ninja swords to the prohibited list. This will mean that it will become an offence to manufacture, import, sell and generally supply or possess a Ninja sword, unless a defence applies. Preceding a ban will be the Surrender Scheme, allowing individuals to claim compensation for Ninja swords that they surrender.

A copy of the consultation response will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and published on GOV.UK.