OFFICERS have welcomed a tough ban on a wide range of knives, weapons, and firearms which came into force this week.

The Government is stamping down on violent crime and serious violence after implementing a ban on various knives and weapons on Wednesday.

Cyclone knives, spiral knives and ‘rapid-fire’ rifles are among those covered by the ban, all of which have been associated with serious violence in communities across the country.

Anyone unlawfully possessing a firearm covered by the ban will face up to 10 years in prison and those possessing one of the other weapons can be sentenced to up to six months’ imprisonment or a fine or both.

Chief Inspector Ben Swinson of Cumbria Constabulary’s Operational Support Unit, said tackling knife crime is a 'top priority' for policing in the county.

He said: “Tackling knife crime and reducing violence is a top priority for policing.

“We are not complacent and welcome this act to enable us to remove dangerous weapons from those intent to cause harm and making it more difficult for young people to get hold of knives and other dangerous weapons. "

Cumbria Police recorded a record high for incidents involving knives in 2019-2020.

210 offences involving a knife or sharp weapon were reported, according to figure released by the Office for National Statistics.

This was a record high for the police since records began, with there being roughly 42 knife or sharp weapon offences per 100,000 people in Cumbria last year.

In 2012-13 that figure was 19 per 100,000 as the region reported 97 offences.

However, the force has reiterated that Cumbria remains one of the 'safest places to live' in the UK.

Inspector Swinson added: “Cumbria remains on the of the safest place to live and this act will help us in our continuing work to keep our communities safe.

“We will continue to work with businesses on the sales of potential weapons and in schools to educate young people on the tragic consequences carrying a knife can have.”

A new legal definition of flick knives, banned since 1959, also takes effect as part of the ban, resulting in more of these bladed weapons being outlawed.

All weapons banned in public by the Criminal Justice Act 1988, including zombie knives, shuriken or death stars and knuckledusters, will now also be banned in private, meaning people can no longer keep them at home.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: "Anyone possessing one of these deadly weapons unlawfully will face the full force of the law."