Home Office Ninja Sword Surrender and Compensation Scheme

The Home Office’s Ninja Sword Surrender & Compensation Scheme will be running from 1st July 2025 until 31st July 2025. 22 Met police stations have been designated for the Scheme, but claimants who attend other police stations in the Met will still be able to surrender their ninja swords and submit their claims for compensation.

Twickenham Police Station and Lavender Hill Police Station will be the primary two locations for the SOUTHWEST BCU (Borough Command Unit). 

When the Home Office have received the paperwork they will assess the claim and pay any compensation into the owners’ bank account. The claimant must also bring their proof of ID or proof of the owner’s ID.

Claimants will need to provide evidence of the value of the item (i.e. receipt, invoice, or some form of evidence of ownership and an explanation of what that evidence is) at the time that they surrender it in order to submit their claim for compensation money under the scheme. If the item meets the definition of a ninja sword but the claimant can’t provide evidence of the value then the compensation amount will be £5.

It will not be possible for claimants to seek compensation at any time after they have surrendered their ninja sword, or at any time after the surrender and compensation scheme closes.

The Home Office will notify the claimant in writing of the amount of compensation that the Secretary of State considers is payable and give reasons for the decision. The police role in the Scheme will NOT be to assess the value or compensation amount.

Members of the public can download a copy of the claim form from the government website. There will also be blank claim forms in the designated police station front offices (N.B. members of the public without access to a printer will need to collect a blank claim form, fill it in at home and then return with the completed claim form and wrapped/sealed ninja sword).

A photograph of the ninja sword must also be submitted with the claim to assist the Home Office in assessing the condition of the knife and therefore the compensation amount. If the claimant cannot provide a photo then the front counter officer can take a photo.

The last day of the scheme is 31st July 2025 and claims for compensation must not be accepted after this date.

Prohibited swords or knives that do not meet the criteria of a ninja sword can still be surrendered, but compensation will not be paid.

More Home Office guidance and claim form can be found below;