The family of murdered teen Owen Dunn are urging people to hand in their zombie-style knives and machetes in the last few days of a national surrender and compensation scheme before new legislation comes into force next week. 
 
Wiltshire Police have been part of the surrender and compensation scheme for zombie-style knives and machetes since August 26, where members of the public have been encouraged to take certain bladed articles into a designated police station in return for an application to claim compensation. 
 
However, with just a few days of the scheme remaining before new legislation makes it illegal to possess these types of knives, Owen’s family have issued a final plea to get these dangerous weapons off the streets before it’s too late. 
  
Owen was 18 years old when he was fatally stabbed in Swindon in December 2022. After the event, it was discovered he was also carrying a machete-style knife at the time. 
 
Jo Davis, close family friend and Founder of knife crime awareness charity Owen’s World, said: “Please make sure you give up your weapons - just hand them in as this is the fastest and safest way to get rid of them. If you're eligible for compensation, then that is great - if not, then you know you are at least doing a good thing. 
 
“The main thing is to act before the new legislation comes in as then you risk going to prison. 
 
“Take it from us – we have seen and felt the full force of the impacts that knife crime can have on a family, and it is just complete devastation. Going through life and experiencing different milestones without Owen there will never get easier.  
 
“It will be Owen’s mum’s and brother's birthdays this month, as well as what would have been Owen’s 21st birthday in December – these things just never get easier. So please, hand your weapons in before more people are hurt.” 
 
Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “While statistically Wiltshire may have some of the lowest levels of knife crime in the country, we have seen all too often how carrying a knife has led to serious injury and even loss of life – just like in the case of Owen, whose family now have to live with that devastation. 
 
“With the new legislation being implemented from next week, please ensure you hand any zombie-style weapons in while you still can. There is absolutely no practical use for these kind weapons whatsoever, and you will get in serious trouble for possessing one.” 
 
Eligible weapons can be handed in at either Swindon Gablecross, Trowbridge, Chippenham or Salisbury police stations until Tuesday 24 September. From then onwards it will be illegal to possess such weapons. 
 
The full criteria and guidance covering what bladed articles will be made illegal and are eligible for compensation can be found here. 
 
A short summary of what is eligible and how to surrender them can be found here. 

To safely surrender these items, they must:

- Be made safe to handle for yourself and for the police, and be contained in a manner that allows them to be transported without causing distress or alarm to other members of the public; 
- Be wrapped up and placed in a sealed bag or box. They must not be carried openly at any time; 
- Not be taken out at the police station until you are requested to do so by a police officer or member of police staff. 
 
Under the Serious Violence Duty, the Police and Crime Commissioner has a legal obligation to bring together specified partners to work collaboratively to prevent and reduce serious violence while monitoring performance. Partners include Wiltshire Police, Swindon Borough Council, Probation Services, Wiltshire Council, NHS, Fire and Rescue and the Youth Justice Service. 
 
Some initiatives that fall under the Serious Violence Duty include focussed deterrence targeting children and young people at risk of committing serious violence offences in Devizes and diverting them away from criminality, and Blunt Truth sessions in schools across the county teaching children about the consequences of carrying a knife.  
 
These initiatives directly contribute towards priority two of the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan, reducing violence and serious harm. 
 
You can read more about the Serious Violence Duty here. 

Published on Thursday 19 September 2024