RAMBO-STYLE machetes face being banned as criminals who buy or sell them set to receive two years in jail.
Dangerous blades such as zombie knives designed to look menacing and with the intention to threaten will be outlawed under the plans.
Zombie knives
Home Secretary Suella Braverman
The crackdown will also see cops be given more powers to seize and destroy knives of a certain length even if they are in a private home.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: “The thugs wielding these deadly knives aim to terrorise their victims and the public, and too often even carry out horrific or fatal attacks.
“They are emboldened by the cowardly idea that carrying these blades inflates their own status and respect.
“This can’t go on. These plans seek to give the police greater powers to seize and destroy these weapons and impose harsher penalties on the criminals selling them, keeping them off our streets and making communities safer.”
The move follows a judge asking jurors to write to their MPs about the availability of knives online.
It followed the case of a man being found guilty of killing an 18-year-old with a 22-inch zombie knife.
Emadh Miah, 18, faces a life sentence when he is sentenced next week after killing Ghulam Sadiq near his home in Leytonstone, east London, last summer.
A public consultation will inform ministers over which machetes and large knives to outlaw.
It will also ask whether the criminal justice system should treat the possession in public of a prohibited blade more seriously.
A separate offence could be created for those carrying a knife with the intention to injure or cause fear of violence.
Policing Minister Chris Philp said: “There is no legitimate reason for someone to carry a machete or zombie knife on the streets of Britain.
“These knives, which have no practical purpose, are carried by criminals.
“So-called ‘Rambo’ and ‘zombie style’ knives, spark fear and can cause unimaginable harm.
“They are often used to intimidate victims as part of a street mugging for a phone or a watch or used by drug gangs on the streets.”
Commander Stephen Clayman, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for knife crime, said: “Ultimately, these measures provide a greater means to protect the public and safeguard our communities.”
Patrick Green, boss of the Ben Kinsella Trust said: “These weapons have no legitimate purpose and only serve to glamorise violence and intimidate others.
“They are often used by gangs and criminals to inflict serious harm and create fear on our streets. By taking them off the streets, we will reduce the risk of serious violence and save lives.”
