FROM December 1 2022 it will become illegal to possess particular offensive weapons in your own home. It is already a criminal offence to have these weapons in public.

The Offensive Weapons Surrender and Compensation Scheme was  launched by the Scottish Government in advance of a change in legislation.

From 1 July 2022 - 30 September 2022 anyone who has any of the listed offensive weapons can surrender them to a nominated police station.

Galashiels Police Station, Bridge Street, Galashiels, TD1 1SP is the nominated station for the Scottish Borders.

Weapons along with compensation includes.

Balisong or Butterfly knife - £9 - Belt buckle knife - £5 - Blowpipe or Blow gun - £14 - Cyclone knife or Spiral knife - £30 - Disguised knife - £5 - Flick knife or flick gun - £20 - Footclaw - £7 - Gravity knife - £40 Handclaw - £9 - Hollow kubotan - £3 - Knuckleduster - £2 - Kusari gama - £35 - Kyoketsu shoge - £20 - Manrikigusari or Kusari - £10 Push dagger - £2 - Shuriken or Shaken or Death Star - £5 - Stealth knife - £3 - Truncheon or Baton - £10 - Swordstick - £12 - Telescopic truncheon - £20 - Zombie knife - £10 

Compensation from the Scottish Government can also be applied for.

If you want the weapons list price and you're handing in, one weapon, must be worth £30 or more for you to get money from the scheme or if more than one weapon, then the total value of the weapons must be £30 or more for you to get money from the scheme

If the weapon or weapons are worth less than £30, you still must hand them in but you will not get money for them.

Anyone found to be in possession of any of the listed offensive weapons after 1 December 2022 may be charged under the Offensive Weapons Act 2019.

For full details, including a list of weapons and police stations where you can surrender them, see the Scottish Government website.