News and communications

Zombie-style knives and machetes will be outlawed under legislation laid today. A surrender and compensation scheme will launch in the summer.

• Updated: 6 February 2024

A new strategy has been launched to tackle the domestic and international threat of serious and organised crime.

• Updated: 13 December 2023

A consultation looking at whether cowardly domestic killers should receive tougher sentences if they subject their victims to a campaign of coercive and controlling abuse, has been launched by the Lord Chancellor today.

• Updated: 27 November 2023

Over 1,600 arrests during county lines crackdown in national police operation last week, with over 100kg cannabis and £1.2 million of Class A drugs seized.

• Updated: 20 October 2023

The government has introduced a new ban on zombie-style knives and machetes that have no practical use and will give police more powers to seize knives.

• Updated: 30 August 2023

Police leaders must make sure their officers are confident to use stop and search powers wherever necessary, to seize dangerous weapons and prevent knife crime.

• Updated: 20 June 2023

New figures demonstrate the impact of coordinated and relentless police action in tackling county lines drug gangs

• Updated: 9 March 2023

Police to adopt new 'Clear, Hold, Build' tactic, as Home Secretary launches consultation on new offences to frustrate criminal enterprises.

• Updated: 24 January 2023

Hundreds more victims expected to be helped through funding of support services to 2025.

• Updated: 24 September 2022

Measures in the Offensive Weapons Act come into force today which will restrict access to knives and corrosives.

• Updated: 6 April 2022

The force will receive additional support and investment from the Home Office over the next three years to take down county lines drug networks.

• Updated: 6 April 2022

Government today announces a further £130 million to bolster efforts tackling serious violence and homicide.

• Updated: 1 April 2022

London, West Midlands and Wales to pilot new requirement to help prevent homicides caused by offensive weapons such as knives and guns.

• Updated: 28 October 2021

From 22 September, owners of certain firearms previously regarded as antique will require a licence.

• Updated: 7 September 2021

A tough ban on a wide range of knives, weapons, and firearms comes into force today as part of government action to tackle violent crime and serious violence.

• Updated: 14 July 2021

Police in Thames Valley, West Midlands, Merseyside and Sussex will trial the new orders, which give police powers to stop and search convicted knife carriers.

• Updated: 16 March 2021

Cutting crime and building safer communities will be at the heart of new legislation unveiled in Parliament today (9 March 2021).

• Updated: 9 March 2021

Measures to keep dangerous weapons off the streets are a step closer today with the opening of a surrender scheme, under prohibitions introduced in the Offensive Weapons Act.

• Updated: 10 December 2020

New campaign to protect children launched as tougher restrictions come into effect

• Updated: 17 November 2020

The new measures target antique firearms used in violent crime and mean that up to 26,000 guns will now require firearms licences.

• Updated: 9 November 2020