Certain types of knives that are "designed to look menacing" and "with the intention to threaten" are not currently prohibited but would be outlawed under the measures, the Home Office said following a seven-week consultation on the proposals.

Police would be given more powers to seize and destroy the weapons, and criminals would face tougher sentences for their sale and possession.

Some machetes and similar knives can have "legitimate uses", such as for gardening, but the Home Office warned criminals are "buying, selling and using larger bladed articles as weapons to intimidate and cause others serious harm".

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: "The thugs wielding these deadly knives aim to terrorise their victims and the public, and too often even carry out horrific or fatal attacks. They are emboldened by the cowardly idea that carrying these blades inflates their own status and respect.

"This can't go on. These plans seek to give the police greater powers to seize and destroy these weapons and impose harsher penalties on the criminals selling them, keeping them off our streets and making communities safer."

Earlier in April, a judge called on jurors to write to their MPs about the "shocking" availability of dangerous weapons online after a young man was found guilty of killing another 18-year-old with a 22-inch long zombie knife.

Emadh Miah, 18, could be imprisoned for life when he is sentenced next week for murdering Ghulam Sadiq after he ambushed and stabbed him near his home in Leytonstone, east London, last August.

Judge Christine Laing KC said jurors had to watch "distressing" footage of Mr Sadiq's death, and added: "I advise you to write to your MPs and ask why it is that weapons like the one you saw in this case can be bought from a website legitimately.

"These weapons are there for anybody to purchase and it is beyond me as to why that is."

Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector Linda Bradley said: "I cannot help but reflect that large knives and machetes being sold online is open to abuse and lamentably continues to be a risk to the public."

The new proposals would mean those importing, manufacturing, selling or supplying prohibited offensive weapons, and selling blades to children, would face a maximum penalty of two years in prison.

Currently, the law stipulates if police find a machete or other legal blade in somebody's home they are not allowed to seize or act on it, even if they believe the knives will be used criminally.

Even if the items are not prohibited, the further powers will allow officers to seize certain blades, the Home Office said.

Any changes would "carefully define" which knives would be banned, it stressed.

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Also being considered is a new offence for "carrying a bladed item with the intention to injure or cause fear".

The consultation is also looking at whether public possession of knives and other offensive weapons should be taken more seriously.

Patrick Green, chief executive of anti-knife crime charity the Ben Kinsella Trust - which was set up in 2008 following the fatal stabbing of the 16-year-old in north London, welcomed the plans and said: "These weapons have no legitimate purpose and only serve to glamorise violence and intimidate others.

"They are often used by gangs and criminals to inflict serious harm and create fear on our streets. By taking them off the streets, we will reduce the risk of serious violence and save lives."

From Wednesday, four police forces will test civil court powers called serious violence reduction orders to allow officers to stop, detain and search offenders who have already been convicted of knife or offensive weapon offences.

Yvette Cooper, Labour's shadow home secretary, said such machetes and zombie knives should have been banned "years ago" as she accused the Conservatives of having "dragged their heels and are only launching a consultation".