These are just some of the massive zombie blades now off the streets after being handed over in a knife amnesty.

Shocking curved knives, machetes and even a sword are among the weapons that have been surrendered to Durham police in just a week.

It is part of a national one-month scheme to get owners to hand in their blades and claim compensation before it becomes illegal to own, supply, manufacture, or import zombie-style knives and machetes on September 24.

A Durham Police spokesperson said: “This collection of knives is now off the streets.

“These were handed over to us this week as part of our ongoing surrender and compensation scheme for zombie-style knives and machetes.”

These knives will join the already long list of prohibited items, including butterfly knives, Samurai swords, and push daggers.

Last week Tanya Brown, mum of murdered teen Connor who was killed with a knife in Sunderland in 2019, urged those with soon-to-be-illegal blades to do hand them over.

“Do the right thing,” she said. “Once you have made that step, be very very proud that you have done that.”  

She said that handing in a knife doesn’t just save one life, as one person with a knife can influence many others.

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In County Durham, knives can be handed in at police stations in Bishop Auckland, Durham, Peterlee, and Darlington. People surrendering items must ensure they are safe to handle while travelling to the station so as not to alarm others.

The Northern Echo has been campaigning to tackle knife crime following the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Jack Woodley from Newton Aycliffe in October 2021.

The newspaper launched the North East Knife Crime Taskforce last year to bring together organisations working across the region to tackle the problem.