The mother of a 16-year-old boy fatally stabbed with a zombie knife is calling on the government to do more before introducing a new law.

Mikey Roynon from Kingswood near Bristol was killed by three teenagers at a party in Bath, Somerset, in June 2023.

The Assault Weapons Actwhich will be introduced from 24 September, will be a Prohibition of possession of zombie-style knives and machetes.

Hayley Ryall, Mikey’s mother, said: “If we don’t change the mindset of these children, they will continue to carry a knife.”

Police Minister Dame Diana Johnson said the ban was the first step in the Government’s plan to halve knife crime within a decade and would be followed by efforts to ban ninja swords.

But Ms Ryall fears the new law will not be “enough” to combat knife crime.

“I wish the government would ask us (what we need) and listen to us because we are the ones who have to live with it,” she said.

“There will still be knives you can get. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a zombie knife… it could be a kitchen knife or anything else.”

Ms Ryall said she only realised “how serious” knife crime among young people was when her son became a victim of the crime.

Following a six-week trial at Bristol Crown Court earlier this year, Shane Cunningham, Leo Knight and Cartel Bushnell, all 16, were convicted of Mikey’s murder.

Cunningham was convicted of murder, while Knight and Bushnell were convicted of manslaughter after being acquitted of the more serious charge.

Cunningham was sentenced to life in prison, Bushnell to nine years and Knight to nine years and six months.

Avon and Somerset Police released video footage of the trio travelling to the party on a bus from Wiltshire, hiding sharp objects under their clothing.

In England and Wales, citizens have until September 23 to hand over all zombie knives and machetes before the Offensive Weapons Act comes into force. The law was passed by the previous Conservative government.

Anyone who hands over their weapons to the police will receive compensation. Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous can dispose of their weapons in the disposal containers.

The government stated that no one who voluntarily surrenders their weapons before the law comes into force will be arrested or prosecuted.

In 2016, zombie knives were added to the government’s list of banned assault weapons, but a loophole in the law allowed many items to circumvent the rule.

Many weapons can be sold and owned as long as there are no depictions of violence on the handles. The new law closes this legal loophole.

Ms Ryall believes police should be given stronger powers to stop and search people, particularly if they are found with weapons.

“I think it would make a big difference if that person could be stopped and searched every time the police encountered them.

“This would prevent these children from carrying knives in the first place,” she added.

“The amnesty is great, but there must be more.”

According to the government, anyone caught with zombie knives and machetes despite the ban will face a prison sentence.