STORY
Serious violent and sexual offenders released from prison are to face new geographical restrictions limiting them to designated areas, with GPS technology used to monitor their movements. The Government plans to introduce the tighter restriction zones from September, allowing probation services to confine some offenders to areas only a few miles across where the restrictions are considered necessary and proportionate.
The measures go further than existing exclusion zones, which prevent offenders entering particular locations such as a victim’s home or workplace. Under the new approach, an offender can instead be prohibited from leaving a defined area. Victims will be able to contribute to decisions about boundaries, while the zones must still allow offenders to attend appointments and access services intended to reduce the risk of reoffending.
The Sentencing Act 2026 provides powers for additional licence conditions including restriction zones, bans on driving, prohibitions on attending public events and restrictions on entering pubs, clubs and bars. Offenders who breach licence conditions can be recalled to prison. Justice Secretary Alex Norris said the changes were intended to reduce the risk of victims unexpectedly encountering the people who harmed them.