Zombie knives still for sale online after ban, BBC finds

“They all look like offensive weapons under the Act,” said Anthony Orchard KC, a criminal barrister who’s prosecuted many stabbings and knife offences.

“Over the last eight to 10 years, these knives have become more and more common in the sort of murder cases that unfortunately we are prosecuting across the country.”

One expert questioned whether the two machetes we bought met the definition of having a “sharp pointed end” – a definition that hasn’t been considered yet in court.

Commander Stephen Clayman, the NPCC’s lead for knife crime, says the recent ban was a step forward – but more action is needed. He is conducting a review into the availability of knives online, especially on social media.

“This ban will have an impact, how much of an impact is difficult to say but we do know some of the large UK retailers will no longer be selling these knives and that’s got to be a good thing,” he told the BBC.

“Is it enough? Time will tell. Will we have to change the law again, quite possibly.”