ZOMBIE knives are now illegal to carry in the UK after a recent amnesty saw 17 given up in Wrexham and three in Rhyl.

Now North Wales Police are appealing to families to help send a message to young people that carrying a knife offers no protection and increases their risk of harm - as they promised more amnesties in future.

The month-long amnesty to take zombie knives - knives with extremely long or large blades often with serrated edges - and machetes off the streets took place in September and offered individuals the chance to give up weapons at their local police station without fear or prosecution. Compensation of £10 per blade  was paid for knives that qualified for the scheme.

During the amnesty three weapons were surrendered at Rhyl Police Station ad 17 at Wrexham. A number of weapons were also given in at Bangor Police Station but none qualified as zombie knives.

Following the conclusion of the scheme zombie knives and machetes joined the list of dangerous prohibited items already banned, including butterfly knives, Samurai swords and push daggers.

Now North Wales Police are asking families to step up and support them by talking openly to young people about the dangers of carrying or using a knife to help prevent future tragedies.

"North Wales Police will continue with our efforts to tackle knife crime with regular amnesties, by working with local schools and patrolling areas that may be identified as hotspots," said Chief Inspector Siobhan Edwards of North Wales Police's Prevention Hub.

"Carrying knives or other weapons do not keep you safe. By carrying a knife, you are putting yourself in much greater danger, and more likely to become involved in a violent situation and get injured yourself.

"We continue to urge parents, guardians and extended family to talk to young family members about knife crime, as you can play a vital role in preventing them from becoming involved. We advise you try and talk to them openly about the dangers, as well as the life-changing consequences that come from carrying a knife.

"We are grateful for the support from our partners and communities and together, we will continue to work towards removing knives and dangerous weapons and bring those responsible, for carrying and using them, to justice."

The Home Office, which launched the zombie knife amnesty and paid the compensation, said the scheme was necessary to take weapons off the streets before the ban came into force. 
 
"Tackling the surge in knife crime is a mission of this new Government," said a Home Office spokesperson.

"These dangerous weapons have no purpose but to harm and intimidate and it is vital we do everything we can to get them off our streets and save lives.

"It is now illegal to own zombie-style knives and machetes. This will help deliver on our mission to halve knife crime and serious violence in a decade, but we know more needs to be done and we remain fully committed to tackling knife crime."