Ninja swords banned in the UK by August, Labour government says

Brits have until Aug. 1 to comply with the U.K.’s Labour government’s new ban on ninja swords as part of a crackdown on knife crime. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the ban following the tragic murder of 16-year-old Ronan Kanda, who was fatally stabbed with a ninja sword just outside his home.

The ban, known as “Ronan’s Law,” will make it illegal to possess, sell, make, or import ninja swords in the U.K. Pooja Kanda, Ronan’s mother, expressed her support for the ban, stating that ninja swords have no place in society other than to cause harm and take lives. She emphasized that each step towards tackling knife crime is a step towards justice for her son.

To enforce the ban, the government has established a surrender process for owners of ninja swords. Anyone caught in possession of a ninja sword in private after Aug. 1 could face up to 6 months in prison, with penalties increasing to 2 years under new measures in the Crime and Policing Bill. The government also highlighted that there is already a penalty of up to 4 years in prison for carrying any weapon in public.

Knife crime has been a longstanding issue in the U.K., with offenses involving sharp instruments remaining high despite a decrease from a peak in 2019. The government reported 50,500 cases in 2024, compared to 33,800 cases reported in 2010. Various types of knives are already banned in the U.K., and the government aims to reduce the availability of dangerous weapons to prevent further tragedies like Ronan’s death.

The new measures under Ronan’s Law also include increased jail sentences for selling knives to minors and the illegal sale of banned knives. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the urgency of addressing knife crime to prevent young lives from being lost and to halve knife crime over the next decade.

The government’s actions reflect a commitment to protecting communities from the devastating impact of knife crime and ensuring the safety of young people. By implementing stricter measures and banning ninja swords, the U.K. aims to create a safer environment for all its residents.