The press release issued by the Home Office on 30 April 2026.
Biggest crime-fighting shake up in decades as police gain new powers to tackle local crime as the landmark Crime and Policing Bill receives Royal Assent.
Community policing will finally have the powers it needs to effectively tackle local issues as the landmark Crime and Policing Act becomes law.
For too long, community policing has been continuously downgraded, lacking the resources and powers it needs to properly protect the communities it serves.
Today, the government has delivered a series of vital measures to tackle the whole spectrum of criminality.
New powers for police and the wider criminal justice system will help realise this government’s mission to restore confidence in policing and to tackle the epidemic of serious violence and violence against women and girls.
Minister for Crime and Policing Sarah Jones said:
This is the biggest overhaul of our crime‑fighting powers in a generation. It puts policing back on the side of the public and gives officers the tools they need to tackle the problems people see on their streets every day.
From banning repeat offenders from town centres and protecting shop workers, to cracking down on exploitative gangs and strengthening victims’ rights, this Bill is about restoring order and rebuilding confidence.
Our message is clear: If you spread fear, exploit the vulnerable or fuel violence, the law will catch up with you.
The Crime and Policing Act has over 70 measures including tougher police powers to crackdown on antisocial behaviour and retail crime by:
- introducing respect orders to enable the police to ban repeat offenders from town centres and other locations
- removing the requirement for police to issue a prior warning before seizing any vehicle used in an anti-social manner
- ending the outdated treatment of theft under the value of £200 as a summary-only offence so perpetrators can be punished properly
- introducing a bespoke offence for assaulting a retail worker with a possible sentence of six months in prison
These new measures will be underpinned by the government’s neighbourhood policing guarantee to deliver an additional 13,000 neighbourhood officers by the end of this parliament.
To tackle the epidemic of online stalking and to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm:
- helping police manage online stalkers and protect victims through new ‘Right to Know’ guidance on disclosing the identity of an online stalker to victims at the earliest opportunity
- more powers for courts to impose stalking protection orders directly when a defendant is convicted or acquitted, to keep perpetrators away from victims and prevent further harm
- there will be a standalone offence of child criminal exploitation with a penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and accompanying orders which will allow courts to intervene early to prevent children from being harmed
- the act introduces a new criminal offence of cuckooing (home takeover for illegal activity) with a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment
- it is also introducing a new offence for internal concealment of drugs and other specified items including forcing individuals to hide items inside their bodies
The act has also introduced further laws around the sale of knives online as the government aims to halve knife crime in a decade:
- tech bosses will have personal criminal liability for failing to act on illegal knife and weapons content on their platforms resulting in a total fine of up to £70,000 for each offence
- there will be a mandatory two-step verification for online knife purchases at both point of sale and delivery using photographic ID
- retailers are legally required to report any bulk purchases of bladed articles made online, to tackle organised crime
- there is a new offence of possession of a knife with intent to cause unlawful violence with a sentence of up to seven years in prison
This government has already delivered over 3,000 neighbourhood officers, launched a national centre for tackling knife crime and deployed the largest crackdown on violence against women and girls in British history.
With the Crime and Policing Act now law, those efforts will go further and faster, delivering safer streets and stronger communities across England and Wales.
John Hayward-Cripps, Chief Executive of Neighbourhood Watch said:
The nature of crime has changed considerably, and major police reform is needed to keep pace. Greater focus on and investment in police capacity, particularly neighbourhood policing, has been needed for a long time.
People want to feel safe and to have greater trust in law enforcement. So it is reassuring for our members and the wider public to see that the government is listening to these concerns and is willing to act.
Neil Basu QPM former head of Counter Terrorism Policing said:
I welcome the Crime and Policing Act as a serious and necessary step in keeping order on our streets and giving the police the powers they need to tackle modern crime.
Measures such as stronger action against prolific offenders, better protection for shop workers, and a renewed focus on neighbourhood safety are not only justified, but overdue.
The act reflects the reality that crime has changed. From organised fraud to technology-enabled theft, law enforcement must be equipped to act quickly and effectively if it is to keep pace.
Professor Emmeline Taylor, Professor of Criminology at City St George’s, University of London said:
This is a welcome and important step forward from the government in tackling the harms that most affect everyday life. Alongside stronger action on antisocial behaviour, theft and violence, it also recognises the serious impact of stalking, child exploitation and the abuse of vulnerable people. With effective enforcement and sustained neighbourhood policing, these reforms have the potential to make a real difference.
Ryan Wain, Senior Director at the Tony Blair Institute, said:
These new measures are a welcome signal that government is taking not just crime, but its impact on Brits, seriously. Last week’s crime statistics showed, thankfully, there’s been a decrease in serious crimes including homicide, knife crime, and robbery under this government.
But we know there’s often a difference between the statistics and what people feel. And what people feel is scared. The communities they want to take pride in are vandalised. Antisocial behaviour is a given. Phones are gripped tighter as we walk down the street.
By bringing power back to our local police, today’s measures should protect our town centres and our community. Britain doesn’t just need to be told that crime is being tackled, it needs to see it, and it needs to feel it.
Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, said:
This Crime and Policing Act is a crucial step in addressing the growing challenges facing our town and city centres, particularly at night. Antisocial behaviour and repeat offending have placed significant strain on venues, workers, and public safety.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BRC, said:
The new Crime and Policing Act is a long-overdue turning point in the fight against retail crime. With 1,600 incidents of violence and abuse every single day and 5.5 million thefts a year, the extraordinary levels of retail crime cannot be accepted as simply part of the job.
The BRC, alongside others, have campaigned relentlessly for these changes. Stronger laws on assault and theft will send a clear warning to would-be offenders, but laws alone won’t keep retail workers safe. What matters now is consistent, visible police enforcement so colleagues can genuinely feel safe and protected at work.
Harvinder Saimbhi, CEO of ASBHelp said:
As the national charity supporting victims of anti-social behaviour, we welcome the dual approach respect orders bring, tackling both the harmful behaviour and the underlying causes, whilst also offering the potential for safer communities and better long-term outcomes for victims. We look forward to working with government on their implementation, at both a local and national level.
Rebecca Bryant, CEO of Resolve said:
Resolve welcomes the government’s continued focus on tackling anti‑social behaviour and strengthening neighbourhood policing. Our members see every day the impact that persistent ASB, exploitation and serious violence have on victims and communities, and it is vital that frontline practitioners have the tools, powers and support they need to respond effectively.
The measures set out in the Crime and Policing Act represent a significant shift in the national approach. Powers such as respect orders, strengthened vehicle‑seizure provisions and new offences relating to exploitation and cuckooing have the potential to improve outcomes for victims when used confidently and proportionately as part of a wider problem‑solving approach.
A spokesperson for Samsung said:
Samsung is committed to continuing to work closely with both the Home Office and Met Police on tackling the issue of phone theft in the UK. We are supportive of the new phone theft search measures included in the Crime and Policing Act.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said:
RAC data shows a quarter of drivers have suffered some form of vehicle crime, so the government’s move to make the possession and distribution of tech designed to steal cars illegal is very welcome.
Currently, the number of cars being stolen far outstrips the number of people convicted of committing the offence, and it’s so often the case that signal jammers and signal amplifiers are used to do this right outside owners’ homes. We hope this law change will reduce the number of vehicles stolen so fewer people have to go through this traumatic experience.
Edmund King, AA president, said:
Strengthening the penalties for thieves caught carrying signal jammers is an important measure from the government which is widely supported. Too many cars are stolen to order and literally ‘gone in 60 seconds’ by crooks using signal jammers.
While ‘smash and grab’ car crime has declined, those using modern techniques has increased, so it is right that the law keeps pace. It could also help bring down insurance premiums as every claim for a stolen vehicle adds pounds to everyone’s premiums.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BRC, said:
The BRC has long advocated for these additional protections, which send a clear message that violent and abusive behaviour, as well as theft will not be tolerated. Retail crime has escalated since the pandemic, with our latest survey showing 1,600 incidents of violence and abuse every single day, alongside 5.5m shoplifting offences last year.
Retailers have been playing their part, spending £5bn over the past five years on crime prevention measures. Government has now taken action, so now it is now essential that the police make full use of this new legislation to step up their response to such incidents.
By working together, we can achieve better outcomes that support and protect all our hardworking colleagues.
Association of Convenience Stores chief executive Ed Woodall said:
The Crime and Policing Act marks a turning point in the way that shop theft and abuse will be treated by the justice system. Convenience retailers and shopworkers can feel more confident that action will be taken against prolific shop thieves as the government enshrines in law tougher penalties for attacks on shopworkers and clarity on how shop theft will be dealt with in courts.
These new powers need to be backed by local police forces on the ground and the wider justice system sending a clear message that when shop theft incidents are reported, police will respond and justice will be served to break the awful cycle of reoffending that causes significant damage to communities.
Paul Gerrard, Director of Campaigns, Public Affairs and Policy, Co-op, said:
Shopworkers have had to tolerate unacceptable levels of theft, abuse and violence for far too long, and it’s not right. Local shops are an anchor in communities, and that is why Co-op, my colleagues and our members spoke-up, often when others wouldn’t, to say criminal behaviour, violence and abuse ‘should not be part of the job’. The tide of criminality can be turned, we saw crime levels reducing in the Co-op by more than 20% in 2025. But this is just the start.
As we continue to invest significantly in wide-ranging safety and security measures, forge successful partnerships with local police forces and see a significant increase in police attendance, this landmark Act from the government has the power to drive further sustained change, and we all must seize this opportunity and continue to do all we can to protect local community stores, and those that work in them.
Kari Rodgers, UK Retail Director at Primark:
Primark welcomes the government’s Crime and Policing Act becoming law. This is a significant and positive step forward for the retail sector and shows what can be achieved through strong collaboration between government and retailers.
Making assault against a retail worker a specific offence sends a clear signal that violence and abuse will not be tolerated, while removing the effective £200 threshold for shoplifting ensures every offence is taken seriously. Together, these measures will help protect hardworking colleagues, improve the shopping experience for customers and support the long-term future of our high streets and town centres as vital hubs of employment, economic activity and community life.
We look forward to continuing to work with government, the police, fellow retailers and others to support their effective implementation.
Hetal Patel, National President of the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) said:
Retail crime, including violence, theft and harassment, remains a deep concern for our members.
Theft is traumatic for shopkeepers and a social blight but also imposes a series of direct and indirect economic costs for shops in lost stock and expensive security measures, which undermine their financial viability.
For these reasons, the Fed has campaigned long and hard for measures like the removal of the £200 threshold and the introduction of a standalone offence of assaulting a shopworker.
We welcome the government’s active approach in this area and the measures outlined in the Act. More broadly, we will continue to call for more active intervention from Community Policing teams so that this issue is taken more seriously and that shoplifting is not seen as a victimless crime.
Nick McDonnell – Auror VP Global Trust & Safety and Law Enforcement Partnerships, said:
The Crime and Policing Act is an important step towards creating safer stores and high streets across the UK. This is about recognising that retail crime is not just about shoplifting – it’s also about the violence, threats and intimidation directed at vulnerable frontline colleagues every day. We know through retailer reporting in Auror that 10 per cent of offenders are responsible for up to 70 per cent of retail crime, while those repeat offenders are also four times more likely to be violent, and this new Act will be part of the solution to hold those repeat offenders to account.
It’s now up to the retail sector, law enforcement and government to support the effective reporting of retail crime, information sharing and collaboration to surface the scale of the issue so we can stop violent and organised crime in its tracks. Auror is proud to support that collaboration across the UK and through further government leadership like this Act, we’ll see safer stores for millions of frontline colleagues and the communities they serve.
Currys COO Lindsay Haselhurst said:
The Crime & Policing Act is an important step towards tackling retail crime and will make a real difference to our store colleagues. It’s particularly welcome that assaulting a retail worker will now be treated as a standalone offence. No one should face the threat of violence for simply doing their job, and treating these offences properly will help protect our colleagues and send a clear message that this kind of behaviour isn’t acceptable.
Ending the outdated approach to theft under £200 is another welcome change. Shop theft is not a victimless crime, so it’s great to see that perpetrators can no longer act with impunity.
Ken Murphy, Tesco Group Chief Executive, said:
The Crime and Policing Act is a significant piece of legislation and we are pleased that the government engaged with retailers and listened to the experiences of our store colleagues in dealing with retail crime.
No one should feel unsafe at work, and we’ve invested tens of millions of pounds over the last four years on a range of security measures to keep people safe. We strongly welcome the government introducing a standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker and hope it will make a real difference in improving the safety of our high streets.
Dal Babu, former Chief Superintendent at the Metropolitan Police, said:
The new Crime and Police Act is a piece of legislation that I welcome. It will help police to deal with the emerging problems of some demonstrators masking up to use anonymity to attack police and deliberately disrespect memorials to the dead.
Although the majority of protestors are law abiding a hard core from across the political spectrum attend marches masked up, with pyrotechnics designed to attack police and oppositions. The new legislation will help deal with this worrying trend.
Ian Morrison, Director of Policy and Evidence at Historic England said:
Our war memorials are important for keeping parts of our national story from being forgotten and the government’s Crime and Policing Act will help protect the stories these memorials help to tell.
Patrick Green, CEO of The Ben Kinsella Trust and member of the government’s Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime said:
The Crime and Policing Act is a major step forward from this government because it brings our knife crime laws up to date with the online world young people are growing up in. By tightening online sales, strengthening age verification, criminalising possession with intent to cause harm and improving enforcement, it closes dangerous loopholes that have existed for far too long. These changes will help prevent serious violence and better protect children and young people.
Pooja Kanda, member of the government’s Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime said:
I lost my innocent son three years ago to knife crime he was murdered with a ninja sword obtained online. Since then, my family and I have campaigned for stricter laws to protect youths from obtaining weapons online and stricter age verifications.
The Crime and Policing Act is a big step forward, and I’m grateful the government has listened to our relentless campaigning and introduced what we now call Ronan’s Law. This law will close loopholes and introduce a vital level of safety that was missing. By passing this legislation, they have taken a crucial step towards protecting lives.
Pastor Lorraine Jones Burrell MBE, CEO of Dwaynamics and member of the government’s Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime said:
I welcome the progression of the Crime and Policing Act and the strengthened measures being introduced. From my lived experience of losing my son to knife crime, and through my daily work supporting young people and families impacted by violence, I know just how critical it is that we take firm and decisive action.
The tougher penalties around knife possession, sales, and intent send a clear message and the focus on tackling child criminal exploitation is both necessary and long overdue.
However, laws alone cannot solve this. It takes partnership, prevention, and sustained support on the ground all of which this government is pioneering with passion and determination to make happen.
Martin Cosser, CEO of Charlie’s Promise, father of Charlie Cosser and member of the Government’s Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime said:
We are encouraged to see meaningful and positive progress through the government’s introduction of the Crime and Policing Act, which represents one of the most significant steps forward in tackling serious violence in recent decades.
At Charlie’s Promise, we work every day with young people, families and communities affected by knife crime. We know first-hand the devastating and far-reaching impact it has. Measures such as stronger action on illegal knife content online, a new offence for child criminal exploitation, and increased powers to address anti-social behaviour are all important and welcome developments.
In particular, holding technology companies to greater account is long overdue. The online space plays a critical role in shaping behaviour, and it is vital that those who enable harmful content are held responsible.
While legislation alone cannot solve this complex issue, it is a crucial step in the right direction. What matters now is effective implementation, proper resourcing, and continued collaboration between government, policing, charities, and communities focusing on the route causes and early intervention.
We remain committed to working alongside all partners to ensure these changes translate into real, lasting impact, keeping young people safe and preventing other families from experiencing the unimaginable loss that we have endured.”
Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said:
Too many children have had their lives ruined by criminal exploitation – forced to do terrible things, receiving criminal sentences, or even losing their lives. Some are themselves treated as adults, facing punishment instead of support, because of prejudice among professionals towards them.
Their voices are often ignored and overlooked, meaning missed opportunities to prevent abuses against them, and the harm they cause to victims of the crimes they are forced to commit.
This new offence will give much-needed clarity that exploited children are victims of abuse, and I am grateful the government has accepted it must apply equally to all children.
Daniel Morris, Assistant Director of Young People and Families at Catch22, says:
The introduction of child criminal exploitation (CCE) as a specific criminal offence is an incredibly positive step forward in recognising the horrific impact of this form of child abuse.
People who exploit children must be prosecuted for the unimaginable lasting harm they cause, and the new CCE offence rightly acknowledges the seriousness of grooming and exploitation for criminal gain. Proper safeguarding of child victims is key, and Catch22 will continue to work with the Home Office to ensure statutory guidance puts this into practice.
To further draw a line under the criminal exploitation of children, we must now see investment into specialist support for its victims to address the long-term impact and mental scars it leaves.
Kathy Betteridge, Director of Anti‑Trafficking and Modern Slavery for The Salvation Army, said:
We welcome measures in the Crime and Policing Act to prevent and tackle child criminal exploitation at the earliest possible stage. For many of the adult survivors of modern slavery we support, exploitation began when they were children. When this continues unchecked for years, the trauma is deeper and the road to recovery can be far more complex.
The creation of a standalone offence of “cuckooing” is also an important step forward. Many people we support have experienced their homes being taken over through coercion and control but have struggled to have this recognised as criminal exploitation. This offence will help close that gap and strengthen protection for those at risk.”
Protecting vulnerable people as early as possible is essential to preventing long-term harm and helping individuals build safer futures.
Emma and Philip Dix, Founders of the Joe Dix Foundation and members of the government’s Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime said:
The Joe Dix Foundation particularly supports the government’s introduction of the new child criminal exploitation law because it represents a crucial step toward recognizing and addressing the complex realities faced by vulnerable young people. Too often, children coerced into criminal activity are treated primarily as offenders rather than victims of manipulation, grooming, and abuse.
This legislation helps shift that perspective by prioritizing safeguarding, early intervention, and accountability for those who exploit children for criminal gain. By strengthening legal protections and improving coordination between agencies, the law offers a more compassionate and effective framework to prevent harm, support recovery, and ensure that young people are given the protection and opportunities they deserve.
CEO of The Children’s Society, Mark Russell, said:
For too long, children groomed and coerced into criminal exploitation have been treated as offenders, when they are, in fact, victims of abuse.
The government creating a specific offence of child criminal exploitation is a long overdue shift – putting the focus where it belongs: on the organised criminals and networks exploiting children.
However, this legislation will only succeed when implemented consistently, nationwide, and backed by increased funding for specialist victim support.
We will carry on our work with law makers, breaking the cycles of harm for child exploitation victims to give them the hope and support they need to rebuild their young lives.
Tracey Burley, Chief Executive of St Giles, said:
We strongly welcome the government’s introduction of new offences relating to enforced concealment and cuckooing and hope they will provide greater protection for people subjected to traumatic, degrading and exploitative abuse.
It is vital that the application of this legislation safeguards vulnerable and coerced young people, while clearly distinguishing them from the perpetrators who groom, manipulate and exploit them for criminal gain.
All stakeholders must continue to work together to ensure these important changes are implemented fairly and effectively – in a way that protects victims, holds offenders to account, and does not unfairly criminalise young people or create further barriers to their future opportunities.
The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Claire Waxman OBE, said:
Strengthening and extending the use of stalking protection orders is an important step forward for victims. These orders are a vital tool in keeping people safe and in addressing stalkers’ behaviour; making them easier to obtain and accessible on conviction should help protection be put in place sooner.
In stalking cases, speed is critical, and our overburdened court system can still slow access to protection. It is therefore encouraging that, during the passage of the Act, the Government has given assurances it will consider quicker, police‑led safeguards, including Stalking Protection Notices.
Nick Gazzard OBE, founder of the Hollie Gazzard Trust, said:
Stalking destroys lives, not just through individual incidents but through the constant, cumulative fear it creates. Too many victims have been left in a state of uncertainty and danger because systems have not moved quickly enough to recognise ongoing risk. As Hollie’s Dad, who was stalked before she was killed by her jealous ex-partner, this is something I know only too well.
The Trust also strongly welcomes new powers for courts to impose stalking protection orders directly, including following acquittal where there is clear evidence of ongoing risk. Combined with commitments to clearer statutory guidance and improved multi‑agency working, these measures better reflect the reality that stalking is about patterns of behaviour and long‑term harm, not isolated criminal acts.
Clive Ruggles, co-founder and Chair of the Alice Ruggles Trust, said:
Unless you have been a stalking victim, or close to one, it is hard to imagine just how distressing those endless repeated, and often vile, intrusions can be. And not even to know who is responsible, what is motivating them, takes this to another level. I strongly welcome this move to help people find out more quickly who is stalking them online.
Stalking, whether physical or online, is hugely impactive and often life-changing for the victim. In the worst cases it can escalate to murder, something I know all too well because of what happened to my daughter Alice. That is why I also welcome the wider raft of measures included in the Crime and Policing Act, including making stalking protection orders easier and faster to obtain and strengthening the multi-agency working that is so essential for managing the risk effectively in serious stalking cases.
Chief Operating Officer, Louise, said:
At Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service, where we support victims of stalking every day, we welcome the measures set out in the Crime and Policing Act. These changes represent a significant step forward in safeguarding and protecting victims of stalking.
In cases where the stalker is unknown to the victim, we consistently hear how not knowing who is behind the behaviour can leave victims living in fear, uncertain about the level of risk they face and unsure of who they can trust. The introduction of statutory Right to Know guidance is therefore a vital shift. It will allow police to lawfully disclose the identity of online stalkers at an earlier stage, helping victims better understand the threat, assess their safety, and regain a sense of control.”
Hannah Swirsky, Head of Policy at the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) said:
The devastation caused by AI child sexual abuse imagery is very real. Real children’s real abuse feeds into these synthetic creations, and often the imagery is made to feature real, recognisable children, very often girls. It’s another way victims’ suffering and harm is commodified on the internet.
In 2025, our analysts saw a staggering 260-fold increase in AI-generated child sexual abuse videos. A massive 65% of these were classified as Category A, depicting the most severe and extreme kinds of sexual abuse. The availability of this content is dangerous for everyone.
We have long campaigned to have these rules tightened up – and are pleased to see these measures brought in. There can be no reason for these manuals, models, or nudification apps to exist. The internet will be a safer place without them. We also welcome new powers allowing the rigorous stress testing of new AI models to ensure they cannot be used to create child sexual abuse imagery. We are ready to work closely with the Government to make sure new tech is safe. But this is not the end of the fight – and we urge all companies to urgently adopt a culture of safety by design before making products available to the global public. Simply creating an AI tool and waiting for the inevitable abuse is not good enough.
Sharon Pursey OBE, Co-Founder, SafeToNet – creators of the first AI preventative nude harm blocking solution for connected devices, platforms and apps said:
The criminalisation of AI tools designed to generate child sexual abuse material, the outlawing of AI ‘paedophile manuals,’ the powers granted to Border Force, and the personal accountability placed on tech bosses, are foundational measures that matter enormously. And we are here to help make them work.
SafeToNet welcomes the Crime and Policing Act and the meaningful, forward-thinking measures it introduces to protect children from online harm. This is a clear and courageous signal that government is prepared to move at the speed of the threat, and we stand firmly alongside them in that mission.
