Residents of Rochdale and Heywood Participate in Nationwide Knife Amnesty

Rochdale and Heywood residents recently participated in a nationwide initiative to surrender bladed weapons, including ninja swords, as part of efforts to combat knife crime.

Last week, the FazAmnesty surrender van, a specially modified vehicle allowing anonymous and safe disposal of weapons without police station visits, visited both Greater Manchester towns. This Home Office-backed initiative, spearheaded by anti-knife crime campaigner Faron Paul, aims to encourage people to hand in such items.

The van's visit coincided with a month-long amnesty for ninja swords, ahead of a national ban effective August 1, 2025, after which possession could lead to imprisonment.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Thompson, head of Greater Manchester Police's Operation Venture knife crime team, lauded the initiative as a, "fantastic resource", for discreetly disposing of unwanted or illegal knives.

Those who missed the van can still surrender ninja swords at designated police stations, including Rochdale Police Station on The Esplanade. Secure surrender bins are also available outside Middleton Police Station on Oldham Road and Heywood Police Station on Queens Park Road. Residents who bought ninja swords before March 27, 2025, may qualify for compensation upon surrender at designated stations.

This local effort is part of a broader UK-wide drive against knife crime, with authorities urging anyone with bladed weapons to utilize the amnesty.