This is a “zombie killer” knife found hidden in undergrowth in east London during a routine police search.

The 2 ft-long weapon was discovered by Pc Alex Ware, an officer based in Walthamstow, on a street sweep in Hackney yesterday.

The weapon is suspected of being hidden by gang members and is being examined for DNA and fingerprints.

Zombie knives, mostly sold in the United States, are designed to arm so-called “preppers” preparing for a zombie apocalypse, retailers say. This version is advertised as an “apocalypse head decapitator zombie killer sword” and has a 17-inch blade.

One for sale on a UK website today is badged as “the ultimate in fantasy themed machete with a serious series of blade variation for zombie defence”.

The find comes as knife crime among under-25s rose by nearly 25 per cent in recent months. Tough laws come into force tomorrow after a spate of attacks in which seven teenagers have died so far this year in London. Police have launched Operation Omega to look for weapons hidden in public spaces.