Tag: Home Office

The press release issued by the Home Office on 22 July 2025.

Measures to tackle the threat of ransomware and protect businesses and critical services will be taken forward with industry following public consultation.

Hospitals, businesses, and critical services are set to be protected under measures designed to crack down on cyber criminals and safeguard the public, following public consultation on ransomware proposals.

Ransomware is software used maliciously by cyber criminals to access victims’ computer systems. Systems and data can be encrypted, or data stolen, until a ransom is paid. Ransomware is estimated to cost the UK economy millions of pounds each year, with recent high-profile ransomware attacks highlighting the severe operational, financial, and even life-threatening risks.

Public sector bodies and operators of critical national infrastructure, including the NHS, local councils and schools, would be banned from paying ransom demands to criminals under the measure, with nearly three quarters of consultation respondents showing support for the proposal.

The ban would target the business model that fuels cyber criminals’ activities and makes the vital services the public rely on a less attractive target for ransomware groups.

Under the proposals, businesses not covered by the ban would be required to notify the government of any intent to pay a ransom. The government could then provide those businesses with advice and support, including notifying them if any such payment would risk breaking the law by sending money to sanctioned cyber criminal groups, many of whom are based in Russia.

Mandatory reporting is also being developed, which would equip law enforcement with essential intelligence to hunt down perpetrators and disrupt their activities, allowing for better support for victims. Consultation responses showed strong support for a new mandatory reporting regime to better protect British organisations and industry.

The new package of measures will lead the way in tackling ransomware and are designed to strike against cyber criminals’ business model, bolstering our national security and protecting key services and businesses from disruption – delivering on our Plan for Change. They follow an extensive consultation with stakeholders across the UK which showed strong public backing for tougher action to tackle ransomware and protect vital services.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis said:

Ransomware is a predatory crime that puts the public at risk, wrecks livelihoods and threatens the services we depend on.

That’s why we’re determined to smash the cyber criminal business model and protect the services we all rely on as we deliver our Plan for Change.

By working in partnership with industry to advance these measures, we are sending a clear signal that the UK is united in the fight against ransomware.

In addition to the proposed new measures, the government continues to urge organisations across the country to strengthen their ability to maintain operations in the event of a successful ransomware attack. This includes having offline backups, tested plans to operate without IT for an extended period, and a well-rehearsed strategy for restoring systems from backups.

Cyber criminals have not only cost the nation billions of pounds but in some cases have brought essential services to a standstill.

The devastating consequences are not just financial but can put lives in danger, with an NHS organisation recently identifying a ransomware attack as one of the factors that contributed to a patient’s death.

These attacks have brutally exposed the alarming vulnerability at the core of our public and private institutions, from flagship British retailers and essential supermarkets including the Co-op to NHS hospitals.

British Library Chief Executive Rebecca Lawrence said:

The British Library, which holds one of the world’s most significant collections of human knowledge, was the victim of a devastating ransomware attack in October 2023.

The attack destroyed our technology infrastructure and continues to impact our users, however, as a public body, we did not engage with the attackers or pay the ransom. Instead, we are committed to sharing our experiences to help protect other institutions affected by cyber-crime and build collective resilience for the future.

NCSC Director of National Resilience Jonathon Ellison said:

These new measures help undermine the criminal ecosystem that is causing harm across our economy.

Ransomware remains a serious and evolving threat, and organisations must not become complacent. All businesses should strengthen their defences using proven frameworks such as Cyber Essentials and our free Early Warning service, and be prepared to respond to incidents, recover quickly, and maintain continuity if the worst happens.

Co-op CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq said:

We know first-hand the damage and disruption cyber-attacks cause to businesses and communities. That’s why we welcome the government’s focus on Cyber Crime.

What matters most is learning, building resilience, and supporting each other to prevent future harm. This is a step in the right direction for building a safer digital future.

These robust proposals are part of the government’s Plan for Change to defend businesses, services, and infrastructure against cyber threats to better protect the public.

Read the government response to the ransomware consultation on GOV.UK.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 16 July 2025.

Victims of domestic abuse to be protected under a £53 million drive to target most dangerous offenders.

Thousands more women and children will be better protected from domestic abuse through the direct targeting of perpetrators, the Home Secretary has announced today.

Backed by a £53 million investment over the next 4 years, domestic abuse perpetrators who pose the highest risk will be forced to change their behaviour and stop their offending as more police and agencies roll out tactics shown to reduce abuse.

It will form a central part of the government’s Plan for Change and pledge to tackle the epidemic of domestic abuse, which sees the police record a domestic abuse-related crime every 30 seconds.

The Drive Project has been piloted since 2016 to address the root causes of abuse through intensive one-to-one case management for up to 12 months. This includes using protection orders to keep offenders away from victims, alongside work to address drug misuse and alcohol dependency. A dedicated independent domestic violence advisor (IDVA) supports the victim in parallel, ensuring their safety and needs are prioritised at every stage.

The results have seen percentages of perpetrators using physical abuse cut by 82%, sexual abuse by 88%, stalking behaviours by 75% and jealous and controlling behaviours by 73%.

The multi-million pound investment will see up to 15 new areas going live by March 2026, with full roll-out across England and Wales to follow.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

The roll out of these new programmes means the relentless pursuit of perpetrators who pose a risk to women and girls whether they operate at home or on the streets – and intervening early to prevent further harm.

Through our mission to make our streets safer, we will take every opportunity to challenge and change dangerous behaviours, intensively monitor and manage perpetrators who pose a risk, and give victims the support they need to take back their lives.

The Drive Partnership, a consortium of 3 organisations – Respect, SafeLives, and Social Finance – is working to end domestic abuse and protect victim-survivors. The Drive Project is their flagship intervention working with those causing harm in their relationships to prevent abusive behaviour.

Rolling out The Drive Project demonstrates that the government is committed to doing things differently, working closely with civil society and bringing experts into policy development to improve the lives of working people. Today’s announcement comes ahead of the Civil Society Summit being held on Thursday 17 July, where the Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips will join a violence against women and girls panel with Beyond Equality, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner and Minister Davies-Jones.

Alongside tackling domestic abuse, the government is also funding 3 police forces to step up efforts to prevent predatory behaviour in public spaces and night time economy venues through Project Vigilant.

Currently being trialled by Thames Valley Police, alongside several other forces across the country, specially trained plain-clothed officers are patrolling nightlife hotspots to hunt down predatory behaviour, with uniformed officers then stepping in to keep the public safe.

A further £230,000 will enable specialist deployments in 3 police forces, support the trial of new tools – including sniffer dogs trained to detect drugs commonly used in spiking – and help to gather evidence on how the approach works in different settings.

Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips said:

Through bold initiatives like the Drive Project and Project Vigilant, we’re going after perpetrators wherever they pose a threat. We are shifting the focus onto those who cause harm, challenging dangerous behaviours and making it clear that the responsibility for ending abuse lies with perpetrators, not those who suffer from it.

Through our mission to make our streets safer, every penny we invest in holding perpetrators to account is a step towards a better and safer future for every victim.

The Drive Project will be delivered in partnership with police and crime commissioners, police forces, domestic abuse services and the Drive Partnership, and supported by national training and resources.

Case managers work closely with high-risk perpetrators for up to 12 months, building their capacity to manage emotions and relationships differently, removing opportunities for abuse through close monitoring and disruption tactics and ensuring dedicated support for victims.

Interventions are tailored to each perpetrator’s risk level and pattern of abuse and can include:

• disruption tactics such as police intervention and the use of protection orders
• engagement with social services to safeguard families and children
• alternative accommodation to prevent perpetrators from returning to victims’ homes
• addressing drug and alcohol dependencies that can fuel abusive behaviour
• behaviour change to address patterns of control and violence
• monitoring and accountability to prevent reoffending
• dedicated support for victims to help them rebuild their lives and move on

Kyla Kirkpatrick, Director, The Drive Partnership, said

We welcome this investment from the Home Office into the expansion of the Drive Project across England and Wales because victim-survivors tell us that as well as more support for themselves, they want and need better responses to the people causing harm in their lives. They need them to be seen, held to account and stopped. The Drive Project does that and with 10 years of delivery, development and evaluation behind us know that it works.

This work can only happen if the focus is absolutely on the safety and wellbeing of the victim-survivors. This investment will see the vast majority of funding flow directly to local domestic abuse perpetrator services and victim-survivor support services, and we will be working in partnership with local services to ensure that the Drive Project is tailored to meet the needs of local communities. We look forward to the forthcoming VAWG strategy to support victim-survivor services with much-needed investment and cross-departmental commitment.

Detective Superintendent Jon Capps, Head of Rape and Sexual Offences and Project Vigilant at Thames Valley Police, said:

We welcome funding which supports vital proactive initiatives to disrupt those who behave in a predatory manner and offend against women and girls.

Our Project Vigilant officers are specially trained to spot predatory behaviour, intervening and preventing it escalating into an offence.

This year we have conducted 50 Vigilant deployments across the Thames Valley, all of which highlight our commitment to keep people safe, specifically in the night time economy and increasingly with large public events.

Our aim is to take a suspect-focused approach, creating safer public spaces and building trust and confidence in our policing response.

Michael Kill, CEO, Night Time Industries Association:

We welcome today’s announcement and fully support the government’s £53 million package to target the most dangerous domestic abuse perpetrators. A perpetrator-focused approach is essential – accountability must lie with those who commit these crimes, not the women who endure them.

We understand that predatory behaviour is a pervasive issue within society and must be addressed wherever it occurs – across communities, public spaces, and institutions. Over recent years, the industry has worked hard to drive awareness and put robust mitigations in place – through staff training, use of CCTV, awareness campaigns and strengthened partnerships with key stakeholders and policing.

Today’s announcement – particularly the expansion of the Drive Project and Project Vigilant, as well as the introduction of specially-trained officers to address predatory behaviour – is a vital step toward tackling the root causes of abuse. It will provide greater protection for women and support operators in disrupting harmful behaviours early.

The NTIA is committed to supporting the government’s Plan for Change and its goal to halve violence against women within a decade. We will continue working closely with government, policing, and local authorities to embed a perpetrator-focused culture of safety and accountability throughout the night time economy.

This investment comes after the government announced a boost of nearly £20 million in support for victims of abuse, including £6 million for helplines which can offer life-saving support.

A relentless pursuit of perpetrators will form a central part of the government’s upcoming strategy on violence against women and girls, shifting the burden of safety away from victims and onto the perpetrators responsible for these devastating crimes. The strategy will also set out action to transform the system’s response to VAWG, including on prevention, early intervention, enforcement and victim support.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 4 July 2025.

A specialist police team focused on tackling county lines drug running will be set up in West Yorkshire police force through £1 million of government funding.

A specialist policing unit will be set up within West Yorkshire police force to target drug running in and out of the region and protect those exploited by the dangerous illegal drugs trade.

The dedicated county lines taskforce in West Yorkshire is an expansion of the government’s County Lines Programme and is backed by £1.3 million of funding – and includes additional specialist support for victims, expanding across Leeds and Bradford.

County lines is a term used to describe gangs who are involved in transporting illegal drugs into different counties within the UK, using dedicated ‘deal lines’ often run out of the biggest cities with routes into different towns. It is one of the most violent models of drug supply and often sees children used to move and store drugs and money.

As part of the Plan for Change to deliver safer streets, the government is working closely with the police to put a stop to this trade and through its County Lines Programme, it already funds dedicated taskforces in major cities such as London, Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham.

Since July 2024, work by the taskforces funded through the national programme has led to more than 1,200 line closures and more than 2,000 arrests, leading to the charging of over 800 criminals controlling lines.

As part of the new funding, specialist support services provided by Catch22 will be extended to the region to help the vulnerable people and children who are exploited by this trade.

Protecting vulnerable people should always be at the heart of the police’s response and, as part of the Safer Streets mission, the government has introduced new laws which will punish the heartless gangs who lure people into their illegal trade further, including specific offences of child criminal exploitation, cuckooing and coerced internal concealment.

Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper said:

The appalling reality of county lines drug running is that criminal gangs exploit children and teenagers to run drugs, further drawing them into violence and serious crime.

We’ve also seen competing drugs gangs running operations into small towns and communities also tackling violence and knife crime into those too. Officers at West Yorkshire Police have already made important progress in combatting drugs running in the area, and this funding will help the force go further to put a stop to this evil practice.

As part of the Plan for Change, we are going further to protect children from being criminally exploited by investing millions into policing and introducing specific offences that properly recognise the harm it causes and punish those who choose to inflict this pain.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Jones, said:

The formation of a dedicated taskforce for West Yorkshire gives us an opportunity to build on the work we already do in tackling county lines crime head on, making an even greater positive impact.

County lines crime has a direct effect on communities across the whole of West Yorkshire – from the exploitation of young and vulnerable people who are often coerced into doing the dirty work of hardened organised criminals, to the serious violence and drug-related misery that comes with it.

Our aim is clear – we will be relentless in our pursuit of those behind county lines by disrupting their illicit enterprises. We will safeguard victims, raise awareness of the dangers of county lines and continue to work with our partners to make our towns and villages stronger and safer.

West Yorkshire has consistently been one of the largest exporters of county lines drug running in recent years, which is why the government has chosen to provide further funding for the force and Catch22 to provide specialist support to victims in the region.

Twenty-eight arrests were made and 2 lines were closed by West Yorkshire police last week as part of a national County Lines Intensification Week. This also saw 26 people safeguarded and £9,000 of Class A drugs and over £100,000 in cash seized by officers.

Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin said:

We must protect our local communities, including vulnerable children, from the scourge of drugs and gang violence.

This significant investment into a dedicated taskforce and support for victims will bolster our ongoing efforts to tackle this issue.

We are determined that there will be nowhere to hide for criminals who exploit children and damage our communities both in West Yorkshire and across our borders.

Kate Wareham, Catch22 Strategic Director – Young People Families and Communities, said:

Having seen first hand the devastating impact of county lines on young people, this expansion into Yorkshire is crucial.

We know the need for our service is growing, and we’re committed to working with partners like the Home Office and British Transport Police to keep safeguarding these vulnerable children at the forefront. In our efforts to draw a line on exploitation, we welcome this investment in our service.

As part of the Safer Streets mission, the government has pledged to halve knife crime in the next decade.  County lines is closely linked to knife crime and tackling violent and exploitative drug gangs through the County Lines Programme is crucial to delivering this commitment.

The expansion of the County Lines Programme comes as the Home Secretary launches the government’s Safer Streets summer initiative. This nationwide crackdown will seek to target town centre crime, such as shop theft and antisocial behaviour, much of which is driven by the supply of drugs into these communities.

Over 500 town centres have signed up to the Home Secretary’s Safer Streets summer blitz that will see shops benefit from increased police patrols and local action to tackle town centre crime and antisocial behaviour.

This marks a key step in delivering the government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which from July will see named, contactable officers in every community, increased peak time patrols in town centres and antisocial behaviour leads in every force.

Commissioned by the Home Secretary, police and crime commissioners across England and Wales have developed bespoke local action plans with police, businesses and local councils to crack down on crime this summer.

The aim is to support town centres to be vibrant places where people want to live, work and spend time, and restore faith in community policing after years of declining police officer presence on Britain’s streets.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 4 July 2025.

Over 500 town centres have signed up to the Home Secretary’s Safer Streets summer blitz that will see increased police patrols and local action.

Thousands of shoppers and businesses will see increased police presence, stronger prevention and enforcement action by police and councils to support safer high streets this summer.

Over recent years street crime has sky-rocketed, with theft from the person more than doubling between December 2022 and December 2024, and there has been record levels of shop theft, up by more than 60% – with offenders increasingly using violence and abuse against shopworkers.

This marks a key step in delivering the government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which from July will see named, contactable officers in every community, increased peak time patrols in town centres and anti-social behaviour leads in every force.

Commissioned by the Home Secretary, Police and Crime Commissioners across England and Wales have developed bespoke local action plans with police, businesses and local councils to crackdown on crime this summer.

The aim is to support town centres to be vibrant places where people want to live, work and spend time, and restore faith in community policing after years of declining police officer presence on Britain’s streets.

These plans include increased visible town centre policing and ramping up the use of targeted enforcement powers against troublemakers – including banning perpetrators from hotspots.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

High streets and town centres are the very heart of our communities. Residents and businesses have the right to feel safe in their towns. But the last government left a surge in shop theft, street crime and anti-social behaviour which has left too many town centres feeling abandoned.

It’s time to turn this round, that’s why I have called on police forces and councils alike to work together to deliver a summer blitz on town centre crime to send a clear message to those people who bring misery to our towns that their crimes will no longer go unpunished.

The fact that 500 towns have signed up shows the strength of feeling on this issue.

Through our Safer Streets Mission and Plan for Change, we are putting officers back on the beat where you can see them and making our town centres safe again.

The summer initiative will also support young people, making sure there are activities across the 500 towns for young people to be involved in throughout the holidays.

The Home Office, alongside police, retailers and industry are also launching a new Tackling Retail Crime Together Strategy, which will use shared data to assist in disrupting not just organised criminal gangs, but all types of perpetrators including prolific offenders who are stealing to fund an addiction and ‘opportunist’ offenders.

Creating thriving town centres where businesses and communities can flourish supports the government’s growth mission, raising living standards, backing local economies and supporting communities.

Initiatives taking place this summer include:

• in Humberside, police are using real-time mapping to deliver dynamic patrols to target emerging problem locations while reassuring local communities
• in Devon and Cornwall, police are embedding specialist anti-social behaviour lawyers to fast-track enforcement activity
• in Derbyshire, police have developed a Night Time Economy Charter to help deliver consistent proactive policing and coordinated management across the four largest local town centres
• in Wales, Dyfed-Powys Police are targeting seasonal, tourist towns through early police visibility, deterrence and community reassurance
• in Nottinghamshire, police have introduced a new diversionary intervention programme for Out of Court Resolutions with conditions attached for problem offenders

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

We are on the side of local businesses, and our Plan for Change is helping create the right conditions for our great British high streets to thrive.

The Safer Streets Summer Initiative will play a vital role in achieving this by keeping footfall high, communities and those that work in them safe, and the economy growing.

Shop theft and the abuse of shopworkers has become an endemic problem for Britain’s high streets with many shopworkers victimised in the same communities where they live.

The government is set to introduce a new law to protect shop workers from this vile abuse.

Record levels of shop theft have been driven not just by organised crime gangs but drug addiction for some prolific offenders and opportunism for others.

The new Tackling Retail Crime Together Strategy will bring together multiple sources of data from industry and policing to create a single avenue for intelligence to help better target and respond to perpetrators.

Police and retailers will also team up with security firms and local communities to locate the highest harm areas and identify the role offender management programmes can play in breaking the cycle of crime for repeat offenders.

Anthony Hemmerdinger, Managing Director, Boots said:

Retail theft alongside intimidation and abuse of our team members is unacceptable, so we welcome this additional support from government and the police to strengthen shopworker protection.

While we continue to invest significantly in schemes to deter and disrupt crime, including our state-of-the-art CCTV monitoring centre and bodycams for our team members in stores, it is only through collaboration with government, police forces, and local communities, that we can ensure high streets feel like welcoming and safe spaces for people to work, shop and visit, all the time.

Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners Emily Spurrell said:

Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and Deputy Mayors know how much people want to rid their neighbourhoods of criminal and anti-social behaviour (ASB) that blights too many communities. Tackling retail crime and ASB is essential to allowing our town centres to flourish. People have a right to feel safe and shop workers shouldn’t have to defend their stores against regular and organised theft, putting themselves at risk of violence.

As the public’s voice in policing, we have long understood that neighbourhood policing is key to addressing these issues which is why we welcomed the government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. It will see thousands more officers on our streets and introduce specialist training for them to operate effectively within local communities, building trust.

With our local police forces and other partners in support of the Safer Streets Summer initiative, PCCs and Deputy Mayors will be working harder than ever to target criminal and anti-social behaviour so that people feel safe and have pride in where they live and work. We are determined to deliver real and demonstrable change so that communities and town centres can thrive and prosper.

The initiative launches today at an event hosted by the Home Office and the English Football League at Derby County Football Club, attended by partner representatives from police, businesses, local councils and local government.

It will see increased collaborative community-led interventions across sectors such as schemes to keep kids out of trouble during the summer holidays and targeted prevention activity with businesses, to not only tackle crime, but prevent crime and anti-social behaviour happening in the first place.

English Football League’s Director of Community Debbie Cook said:

Today at Derby County Football Club, EFL in the Community was proud to stand alongside the Home Office as the government reaffirmed its commitment to working hand-in-hand with trusted local organisations — like our clubs — to prioritise public safety and tackle town centre crime, street violence, and anti-social behaviour.

Beyond the pitch, football clubs and their charities across England and Wales play a transformative role in people’s lives. Through innovative initiatives — like Bristol City Foundation’s free ‘turn-up and play’ sessions in supermarket car parks and South Yorkshire clubs uniting to combat violence against women and girls — our clubs are contributing to creating safer, stronger, and more connected communities. We look forward to this work continuing and growing.

Harvinder Saimbhi, CEO of ASB Help, said:

We welcome the Safer Streets Summer Initiative as we know that ASB can increase during these months with lighter nights and improved weather. One of the most effective ways to address shop theft, street theft and anti-social behaviour is through effective partnerships that work proactively in addressing and tackling issues at the forefront.

This proactive initiative will contribute towards communities and businesses in feeling safer by seeing boosted police presence and council operations working together to make town centres safer. We are pleased to see that this initiative will not be only enforcement driven but will focus on creating more positive activities for young people and keeping vulnerable groups safer where everyone can feel secure.

Hetal Patel, National President of the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) said:

This crackdown on shop theft, street theft and anti-social behaviour is timely and welcome. Shop theft is often seen as a victimless crime but this is not the case. It takes a heavy toll mentally, physically and financially on shop owners, their families and their employees. At the same time, the financial costs of retail crime will eventually impact on customers through inflated prices.

ASB, meanwhile, can cost independent retailers dear in terms of cleaning and clearing up, as well as increasing premiums, deterring footfall and shoppers.

A recent Fed survey found that 72% of respondents had experienced shoplifting, break ins and damage to their property and they and their staff had been physically or verbally threatened.  A whopping 91% of respondents called for more police patrols on streets.

Everyone deserves to feel safe at work and for their businesses to be protected against criminals.

Richard Walker, Executive Chairman of Iceland Foods said:

Our colleagues and customers are our number one priority at Iceland, and I hope this increase in visible policing will give them more confidence to enjoy our high streets and communities in safety this summer.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BRC, said:

With the huge rise in retail theft and the continued impact of violence and abuse on retail colleagues, we welcome the announcement of increased police patrols and local action to tackle town centre crime and anti-social behaviour. We must stamp out this scourge of crime up and down the country, and this announcement is certainly a step in the right direction.

Superintendent Lisa Maslen of the National Business Crime Centre said:

Retail crime continues to have a significant impact on businesses, staff, and communities across the country. The Tackling Retail Crime Together strategy and campaign is about strengthening the vital partnerships between policing and the retail sector to deliver meaningful action. The NBCC received £2 million of funding from the Home Office to support police and partners in tackling retail crime and we have used some of the funding to develop the first national campaign to highlight the amount of work being done to respond to, prevent and detect retail crime offences across the country.

There will also be increased collaborative community led interventions across sectors such as schemes to keep kids out of trouble during the summer holidays and targeted prevention activity with businesses, to not only tackle crime but prevent crime and anti-social behaviour happening in the first place.

Jason Towse, Managing Director, Business Services, Mitie said:

We all deserve to live and work in a safe environment and the Tackling Retail Crime Together Strategy has been developed to fuse industry knowledge and data with policing powers.

With momentum building as towns across the country rally behind this initiative, the intelligence shared will inform a collaborative approach across regions and enable the right interventions to be deployed to break the cycle of offending.

Together, our actions will deter potential offenders, ensure criminals face consequences and ultimately create safer, thriving communities.

The APCC joint leads for Business and Retail Crime, Katie Bourne OBE, Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex, and Andy Dunbobbin, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, said:

This strategy is an acknowledgement of the urgent need to focus on tackling unacceptable levels of shop theft and violence against retail workers.

We are delighted that the success of the Police and Crime Commissioner-led Pegasus partnership of retailers, Home Office and police has been recognised and is being built upon.

Through the work of Pegasus and policing’s Opal team, a hugely effective, data-led and intelligence-sharing approach has been developed that focuses on organised retail crime gangs with greater police and retailer working at its heart.

Assistant Chief Constable Alex Goss, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for retail crime, said:

We know retail crime has a significant impact on victims, damages businesses and communities and goes far beyond financial loss. We also know it is a complex problem with a diverse offender profile and is something which requires a strong partnership approach, tackling the issues together.

Over the last two years we have made significant strides in our fight against retail crime, strengthening relationships with retailers and greatly improving information sharing which has resulted in a number of high harm offenders being brought to justice and the new Retail Crime Strategy builds on this even further. It brings together policing, retailers, the security industry and academia in a shared strategy which makes best use of our collective resources to turn the tide on the volume of offending blighting our communities.

A collective approach is key, ensuring everyone can enjoy where they live, work and spend their leisure time safely.

Clare Sumner, Chief Policy and Social Impact Officer at the Premier League said:

The Premier League welcomes the government’s proposals to create opportunities for young people as part of its Safer Streets Summer Initiative. For the last 20 years, our Premier League Kicks programme has provided support for young people who need it the most, funding free weekly football sessions across 93 Premier League, EFL and National League clubs.

Through the power of football, we offer real opportunities for young people to develop vital life skills and reach their potential, supported by club coaches from similar backgrounds who help to inspire, guide and mentor them to a better future.

LOCATIONS

Town centre name	Police force area	Region
Bath; Bath and North East Somerset (South West; England)	Avon & Somerset	South West
Frome; Mendip (South West; England)	Avon & Somerset	South West
Regent Street; Kingswood; South Gloucestershire (South West; England)	Avon & Somerset	South West
Whiteladies Road; Clifton; City of Bristol (South West; England)	Avon & Somerset	South West
Queen’s Road; City of Bristol (South West; England)	Avon & Somerset	South West
Gloucester Road; Montpelier; City of Bristol (South West; England)	Avon & Somerset	South West
High Street; Burnham-on-Sea; Sedgemoor (South West; England)	Avon & Somerset	South West
Weston-Super-Mare; North Somerset (South West; England)	Avon & Somerset	South West
Clifton Wood; City of Bristol (South West; England)	Avon & Somerset	South West
East Street; Bedminster; City of Bristol (South West; England)	Avon & Somerset	South West
Yeovil; South Somerset (South West; England)	Avon & Somerset	South West
High Street; Glastonbury; Mendip (South West; England)	Avon & Somerset	South West
High Street; Wells; Mendip (South West; England)	Avon & Somerset	South West
Taunton; Somerset West and Taunton (East of England; England)	Avon & Somerset	South West
Bridgwater; Sedgemoor (South West; England)	Avon & Somerset	South West
The Avenue; Minehead; Somerset West and Taunton (East of England; England)	Avon & Somerset	South West
Yate; South Gloucestershire (South West; England)	Avon & Somerset	South West
Portishead	Avon & Somerset	South West
Chard	Avon & Somerset	South West
Bedford; Bedford (East of England; England)	Bedfordshire	East of England
Leighton Buzzard; Central Bedfordshire (East of England; England)	Bedfordshire	East of England
High Street; Biggleswade; Central Bedfordshire (East of England; England)	Bedfordshire	East of England
Luton; Luton (East of England; England)	Bedfordshire	East of England
Dunstable Road; Bury Park; Luton (East of England; England)	Bedfordshire	East of England
Dunstable; Central Bedfordshire (East of England; England)	Bedfordshire	East of England
Cambridge; Cambridge (East of England; England)	Cambridgeshire	East of England
Peterborough; Peterborough (East of England; England)	Cambridgeshire	East of England
Wisbech; Fenland (East of England; England)	Cambridgeshire	East of England
Ely; East Cambridgeshire (East of England; England)	Cambridgeshire	East of England
Huntingdon; Huntingdonshire (East of England; England)	Cambridgeshire	East of England
St Ives; Huntingdonshire (East of England; England)	Cambridgeshire	East of England
Market Square; St Neots; Huntingdonshire (East of England; England)	Cambridgeshire	East of England
Grafton Centre; Cambridge; Cambridge (East of England; England)	Cambridgeshire	East of England
Chester; Cheshire West and Chester (North West; England)	Cheshire	North West
Warrington; Warrington (North West; England)	Cheshire	North West
Simm’s Cross; Halton (North West; England)	Cheshire	North West
Northwich; Cheshire West and Chester (North West; England)	Cheshire	North West
Macclesfield; Cheshire East (North West; England)	Cheshire	North West
High Street; Neston; Cheshire West and Chester (North West; England)	Cheshire	North West
King Street; Knutsford; Cheshire East (North West; England)	Cheshire	North West
Church Street; Runcorn; Halton (North West; England)	Cheshire	North West
Nantwich; Cheshire East (North West; England)	Cheshire	North West
Congleton; Cheshire East (North West; England)	Cheshire	North West
Market Street; Crewe; Cheshire East (North West; England)	Cheshire	North West
Whitby Road; Ellesmere Port; Cheshire West and Chester (North West; England)	Cheshire	North West
Wilmslow; Cheshire East (North West; England)	Cheshire	North West
Nantwich Road; Crewe; Cheshire East (North West; England)	Cheshire	North West
Winsford Town	Cheshire	North West
Redcar; Redcar and Cleveland (North East; England)	Cleveland	North East
Middlesbrough; Middlesbrough (North East; England)	Cleveland	North East
Stockton-on-Tees; Stockton-on-Tees (North East; England)	Cleveland	North East
Hartlepool; Hartlepool (North East; England)	Cleveland	North East
Carlisle; Carlisle (North West; England)	Cumbria	North West
Whitehaven; Copeland (North West; England)	Cumbria	North West
Workington; Allerdale (North West; England)	Cumbria	North West
Kendal; South Lakeland (North West; England)	Cumbria	North West
Barrow-in-Furness; Barrow-in-Furness (North West; England)	Cumbria	North West
Penrith; Eden (North West; England)	Cumbria	North West
Ulverston; South Lakeland (North West; England)	Cumbria	North West
Derby; Derby (East Midlands; England)	Derbyshire	East Midlands
Chesterfield; Chesterfield (East Midlands; England)	Derbyshire	East Midlands
Ripley; Amber Valley (East Midlands; England)	Derbyshire	East Midlands
Ilkeston; Erewash (East Midlands; England)	Derbyshire	East Midlands
Ashbourne; Derbyshire Dales (East Midlands; England)	Derbyshire	East Midlands
Glossop; High Peak (East Midlands; England)	Derbyshire	East Midlands
Long Eaton; Erewash (East Midlands; England)	Derbyshire	East Midlands
High Street; Alfreton; Amber Valley (East Midlands; England)	Derbyshire	East Midlands
King Street; Belper; Amber Valley (East Midlands; England)	Derbyshire	East Midlands
Bakewell; Derbyshire Dales (East Midlands; England)	Derbyshire	East Midlands
Normanton Road; Rose Hill; Derby (East Midlands; England)	Derbyshire	East Midlands
Truro; Cornwall (South West; England)	Devon & Cornwall	South West
Exeter; Exeter (South West; England)	Devon & Cornwall	South West
Plymouth; Plymouth (South West; England)	Devon & Cornwall	South West
Penzance; Cornwall (South West; England)	Devon & Cornwall	South West
Falmouth; Cornwall (South West; England)	Devon & Cornwall	South West
Newquay; Cornwall (South West; England)	Devon & Cornwall	South West
Barnstaple; North Devon (South West; England)	Devon & Cornwall	South West
Tiverton; Mid Devon (South West; England)	Devon & Cornwall	South West
Torquay; Torbay (South West; England)	Devon & Cornwall	South West
Paignton; Torbay (South West; England)	Devon & Cornwall	South West
Exmouth; East Devon (South West; England)	Devon & Cornwall	South West
Newton Abbot; Teignbridge (South West; England)	Devon & Cornwall	South West
Bideford; Torridge (South West; England)	Devon & Cornwall	South West
St Austell; Cornwall (South West; England)	Devon & Cornwall	South West
Trelowarren Street; Camborne; Cornwall (South West; England)	Devon & Cornwall	South West
Bodmin	Devon & Cornwall	South West
Bournemouth; Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (South West; England)	Dorset	South West
Poole; Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (South West; England)	Dorset	South West
Weymouth; Dorset (South West; England)	Dorset	South West
East Street; Blandford Forum; Dorset (South West; England)	Dorset	South West
High Street; Swanage; Dorset (South West; England)	Dorset	South West
South Street; Bridport; Dorset (South West; England)	Dorset	South West
South Street; Dorchester; Dorset (South West; England)	Dorset	South West
Wimborne Minster; Dorset (South West; England)	Dorset	South West
High Street; Christchurch; Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (South West; England)	Dorset	South West
Christchurch Road; Boscombe; Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (South West; England)	Dorset	South West
Poole Road; Westbourne; Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (South West; England)	Dorset	South West
Wimborne Road; Winton; Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (South West; England)	Dorset	South West
Wimborne Road; Moordown; Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (South West; England)	Dorset	North East
Ashley Road; Upper Parkstone; Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (South West; England)	Dorset	North East
Darlington; Darlington (North East; England)	Durham	North East
Bishop Auckland; County Durham (North East; England)	Durham	North East
Durham; County Durham (North East; England)	Durham	North East
High Street; Spennymoor; County Durham (North East; England)	Durham	North East
Consett; County Durham (North East; England)	Durham	North East
Front Street; Chester-le-Street; County Durham (North East; England)	Durham	North East
Stanley	Durham	North East
Peterlee	Durham	North East
Crook	Durham	North East
Newton Aycliffe	Durham	North East
Chilton	Durham	North East
Dinbych-y-Pysgod (Tenby); Pembrokeshire (Wales)	Dyfed-Powys	Wales
Carmarthen; Carmarthenshire (Wales)	Dyfed-Powys	Wales
Aberystwyth; Ceredigion (Wales)	Dyfed-Powys	Wales
Y Drenewydd; Powys (Wales)	Dyfed-Powys	Wales
High Street; Aberhonddu; Powys (Wales)	Dyfed-Powys	Wales
Llanelli; Carmarthenshire (Wales)	Dyfed-Powys	Wales
Hwlffordd; Pembrokeshire (Wales)	Dyfed-Powys	Wales
Builth-Wells	Dyfed-Powys	Wales
Milford Haven	Dyfed-Powys	Wales
Colchester; Colchester (East of England; England)	Essex	East of England
Basildon; Basildon (East of England; England)	Essex	East of England
Braintree; Braintree (East of England; England)	Essex	East of England
Brentwood; Brentwood (East of England; England)	Essex	East of England
Chelmsford; Chelmsford (East of England; England)	Essex	East of England
Clacton-on-Sea; Tendring (East of England; England)	Essex	East of England
Harlow; Harlow (East of England; England)	Essex	East of England
Loughton; Epping Forest (East of England; England)	Essex	East of England
Maldon; Maldon (East of England; England)	Essex	East of England
Rayleigh; Rochford (East of England; England)	Essex	East of England
Saffron Walden; Uttlesford (East of England; England)	Essex	East of England
Westcliff-on-Sea; Southend-on-Sea (East of England; England)	Essex	East of England
High Street; Billericay; Basildon (East of England; England)	Essex	East of England
High Street; Southend-on-Sea; Southend-on-Sea (East of England; England)	Essex	East of England
High Street; Wickford; Basildon (East of England; England)	Essex	East of England
Orsett Road; Grays; Thurrock (East of England; England)	Essex	East of England
The Broadway; Leigh-on-Sea; Southend-on-Sea (East of England; England)	Essex	East of England
Tilbury Town Centre	Essex	East of England
Canvey Island Town Centre	Essex	East of England
Cheltenham; Cheltenham (South West; England)	Gloucestershire	South West
Tewkesbury; Tewkesbury (South West; England)	Gloucestershire	South West
Gloucester; Gloucester (South West; England)	Gloucestershire	South West
Cirencester; Cotswold (South West; England)	Gloucestershire	South West
Coleford	Gloucestershire	South West
Stroud; Stroud (South West; England)	Gloucestershire	South West
Commercial	Greater Manchester	North West
Bolton Town Centre	Greater Manchester	North West
Wigan Town Centre	Greater Manchester	North West
Oldham Town Centre	Greater Manchester	North West
Bury Town Centre	Greater Manchester	North West
Stockport	Greater Manchester	North West
Rochdale Town Centre	Greater Manchester	North West
Rusholme	Greater Manchester	North West
Harpurhey	Greater Manchester	North West
Piccadilly Gardens	Greater Manchester	North West
Gay Village	Greater Manchester	North West
Peter St/Deansgate	Greater Manchester	North West
Ashton Town Centre	Greater Manchester	North West
Leigh	Greater Manchester	North West
Fallowfield	Greater Manchester	North West
Altrincham	Greater Manchester	North West
Farnworth	Greater Manchester	North West
Longsight	Greater Manchester	North West
Walkden/Little Hulton	Greater Manchester	North West
Levenshulme	Greater Manchester	North West
Stalybridge	Greater Manchester	North West
Wythenshawe	Greater Manchester	North West
Cheetham Hill	Greater Manchester	North West
Trafford Centre	Greater Manchester	North West
Deane	Greater Manchester	North West
Eccles	Greater Manchester	North West
Middleton	Greater Manchester	North West
Hyde	Greater Manchester	North West
Benchill	Greater Manchester	North West
Shaw	Greater Manchester	North West
Heywood	Greater Manchester	North West
Hindley	Greater Manchester	North West
Chorley Old Rd	Greater Manchester	North West
Primrose Hill	Greater Manchester	North West
Prestwich	Greater Manchester	North West
Brinnington	Greater Manchester	North West
Old Trafford	Greater Manchester	North West
Robin Park	Greater Manchester	North West
Gorton	Greater Manchester	North West
Salford Quays	Greater Manchester	North West
Whitworth Park	Greater Manchester	North West
Coldhurst/St Marys	Greater Manchester	North West
Fallowfield Loop	Greater Manchester	North West
Derker	Greater Manchester	North West
Royton	Greater Manchester	North West
Pendleton	Greater Manchester	North West
St Thomas	Greater Manchester	North West
Oxford Road	Greater Manchester	North West
Freehold	Greater Manchester	North West
Chorlton	Greater Manchester	North West
Newton	Greater Manchester	North West
Atherton	Greater Manchester	North West
Hazel Grove	Greater Manchester	North West
Sale	Greater Manchester	North West
Ashton-in-Makerfield	Greater Manchester	North West
Westhoughton	Greater Manchester	North West
Moss Side	Greater Manchester	North West
Piccadilly Basin	Greater Manchester	North West
Hulme High Street	Greater Manchester	North West
Denton	Greater Manchester	North West
Horwich	Greater Manchester	North West
Wythenshawe Park	Greater Manchester	North West
Didsbury	Greater Manchester	North West
Dukinfield	Greater Manchester	North West
Cheadle Heath	Greater Manchester	North West
Chadderton	Greater Manchester	North West
Manchester Fort Shopping Park	Greater Manchester	North West
Marple	Greater Manchester	North West
Radcliffe	Greater Manchester	North West
Swinton	Greater Manchester	North West
Little Lever	Greater Manchester	North West
Northenden	Greater Manchester	North West
Breightmet	Greater Manchester	North West
Victoria Ave East	Greater Manchester	North West
Cheadle Hulme	Greater Manchester	North West
Altrincham Retail Park	Greater Manchester	North West
Whitefield	Greater Manchester	North West
Ramsbottom	Greater Manchester	North West
Standish	Greater Manchester	North West
Middlebrook	Greater Manchester	North West
Hale	Greater Manchester	North West
Newport; Newport (Wales)	Gwent	Wales
Tredegar; Blaenau Gwent (Wales)	Gwent	Wales
Cwmbran; Torfaen (Wales)	Gwent	Wales
Y Fenni; Monmouthshire (Wales)	Gwent	Wales
Caerffili; Caerphilly (Wales)	Gwent	Wales
Chepstow; Monmouthshire (Wales)	Gwent	Wales
Monnow Street; Chippenham; Monmouthshire (Wales)	Gwent	Wales
Brynmawr including Lakeside Retail Park	Gwent	Wales
Ebbw Vale	Gwent	Wales
Abertillery	Gwent	Wales
Blackwood	Gwent	Wales
Bargoed	Gwent	Wales
Blaenavon	Gwent	Wales
Abersychan	Gwent	Wales
Pontypool	Gwent	Wales
Southampton; Southampton (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
Newport; Isle of Wight (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
Lymington; New Forest (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
Eastleigh; Eastleigh (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
Fareham; Fareham (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
Petersfield; East Hampshire (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
Winchester; Winchester (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
Basingstoke; Basingstoke and Deane (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
Portsmouth; Portsmouth (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
Gosport; Gosport (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
Havant; Havant (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
Andover; Test Valley (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
Fleet; Hart (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
Aldershot; Rushmoor (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
Commercial Road; Totton; New Forest (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
High Street; Cowes; Isle of Wight (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
Ringwood; New Forest (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
The Hundred; Romsey; Test Valley (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
High Street; Shanklin; Isle of Wight (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
High Street; Alton; East Hampshire (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
High Street; Ryde; Isle of Wight (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
Shirley High Street; Shirley; Southampton (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
Station Road; New Milton; New Forest (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
Albert Road; Southsea; Portsmouth (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
Palmerston Road; Southsea; Portsmouth (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
London Road; North End; Portsmouth (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
London Road; Waterlooville; Havant (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
Farnborough; Rushmoor (South East; England)	Hampshire	South East
Watford; Watford (East of England; England)	Hertfordshire	East of England
St Albans; St Albans (East of England; England)	Hertfordshire	East of England
Stevenage; Stevenage (East of England; England)	Hertfordshire	East of England
Hoddesdon; Broxbourne (East of England; England)	Hertfordshire	East of England
Hertford; East Hertfordshire (East of England; England)	Hertfordshire	East of England
Hitchin; North Hertfordshire (East of England; England)	Hertfordshire	East of England
Borehamwood; Hertsmere (East of England; England)	Hertfordshire	East of England
Rickmansworth; Three Rivers (East of England; England)	Hertfordshire	East of England
Welwyn Garden City; Welwyn Hatfield (East of England; England)	Hertfordshire	East of England
Hemel Hempstead; Dacorum (East of England; England)	Hertfordshire	East of England
Letchworth; North Hertfordshire (East of England; England)	Hertfordshire	East of England
High Street; Berkhamsted; Dacorum (East of England; England) – 1	Hertfordshire	East of England
High Street; Harpenden; St Albans (East of England; England)	Hertfordshire	East of England
South Street; Bishop’s Stortford; East Hertfordshire (East of England; England)	Hertfordshire	East of England
High Street; Ware; East Hertfordshire (East of England; England)	Hertfordshire	East of England
Hatfield (Galleria)	Hertfordshire	East of England
Cassiobury Park, Watford	Hertfordshire	East of England
Hartham Common, Hertford	Hertfordshire	East of England
High Street; Waltham Cross; Broxbourne (East of England; England) – 1	Hertfordshire	East of England
Hull; Kingston upon Hull (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	Humberside	Yorkshire and the Humber
Beverley; East Riding of Yorkshire (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	Humberside	Yorkshire and the Humber
Grimsby; North East Lincolnshire (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	Humberside	Yorkshire and the Humber
Bridlington; East Riding of Yorkshire (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	Humberside	Yorkshire and the Humber
Scunthorpe; North Lincolnshire (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	Humberside	Yorkshire and the Humber
Middle Street South; Driffield; East Riding of Yorkshire (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	Humberside	Yorkshire and the Humber
Hessle Road; Dairycoates; City of Kingston upon Hull (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	Humberside	Yorkshire and the Humber
Newland Avenue; Newland; City of Kingston upon Hull (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	Humberside	Yorkshire and the Humber
St Peters Avenue; Cleethorpes; North East Lincolnshire (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	Humberside	Yorkshire and the Humber
Freeman Street; East Marsh; North East Lincolnshire (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	Humberside	Yorkshire and the Humber
High Street; Scunthorpe; North Lincolnshire (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	Humberside	Yorkshire and the Humber
Anlaby Road, Dairycoates	Humberside	Yorkshire and the Humber
Anlaby Road, Dairycoates	Humberside	Yorkshire and the Humber
Holderness Road, Wilmington	Humberside	Yorkshire and the Humber
Carlisle Street, Goole	Humberside	Yorkshire and the Humber
Ashby High Street, Ashby	Humberside	Yorkshire and the Humber
Wrawby Street, Brigg	Humberside	Yorkshire and the Humber
Canterbury; Canterbury (South East; England)	Kent	South East
Royal Tunbridge Wells; Tunbridge Wells (South East; England)	Kent	South East
Maidstone; Maidstone (South East; England)	Kent	South East
Ramsgate; Thanet (South East; England)	Kent	South East
Chatham; Medway (South East; England)	Kent	South East
Gravesend; Gravesham (South East; England)	Kent	South East
Folkestone; Folkestone and Hythe (South East; England)	Kent	South East
Ashford; Ashford (South East; England)	Kent	South East
Dover; Dover (South East; England)	Kent	South East
Sittingbourne; Swale (South East; England)	Kent	South East
Temple Hill; Dartford (South East; England)	Kent	South East
High Street; Sheerness; Swale (South East; England)	Kent	South East
High Street; Margate; Thanet (South East; England)	Kent	South East
High Street; Rochester; Medway (South East; England)	Kent	South East
Gilingham	Kent	South East
Preston; Preston (North West; England)	Lancashire	North West
Blackpool; Blackpool (North West; England)	Lancashire	North West
Lancaster; Lancaster (North West; England)	Lancashire	North West
Ormskirk; West Lancashire (North West; England)	Lancashire	North West
Leyland; South Ribble (North West; England)	Lancashire	North West
Chorley; Chorley (North West; England)	Lancashire	North West
Lytham St Anne’s; Fylde (North West; England)	Lancashire	North West
Blackburn; Blackburn with Darwen (North West; England)	Lancashire	North West
Cleveleys; Wyre (North West; England)	Lancashire	North West
Clitheroe; Ribble Valley (North West; England)	Lancashire	North West
Accrington; Hyndburn (North West; England)	Lancashire	North West
Burnley; Burnley (North West; England)	Lancashire	North West
Colne; Pendle (North West; England)	Lancashire	North West
Lord Street; Knott End-on-Sea; Wyre (North West; England)	Lancashire	North West
Lytham Road; South Shore; Blackpool (North West; England)	Lancashire	North West
Clifton Street; Lytham; Fylde (North West; England)	Lancashire	North West
Morecambe; Lancaster (North West; England)	Lancashire	North West
Leicester; Leicester (East Midlands; England)	Leicestershire	East Midlands
Loughborough; Charnwood (East Midlands; England)	Leicestershire	East Midlands
Market Harborough; Harborough (East Midlands; England)	Leicestershire	East Midlands
Oakham; Rutland (East Midlands; England)	Leicestershire	East Midlands
Hinckley; Hinckley and Bosworth (East Midlands; England)	Leicestershire	East Midlands
Coalville; North West Leicestershire (East Midlands; England)	Leicestershire	East Midlands
Melton Mowbray; Melton (East Midlands; England)	Leicestershire	East Midlands
Market Street; Ashby-de-la-Zouch; North West Leicestershire (East Midlands; England)	Leicestershire	East Midlands
Belgrave Road; Belgrave; Leicester (East Midlands; England)	Leicestershire	East Midlands
Narborough Road; Westcotes; Leicester (East Midlands; England)	Leicestershire	East Midlands
Lincoln; Lincoln (East Midlands; England)	Lincolnshire	East MIdlands
Boston; Boston (East Midlands; England)	Lincolnshire	East MIdlands
Louth; East Lindsey (East Midlands; England)	Lincolnshire	East MIdlands
Stamford; South Kesteven (East Midlands; England)	Lincolnshire	East MIdlands
Spalding; South Holland (East Midlands; England)	Lincolnshire	East MIdlands
Gainsborough; West Lindsey (East Midlands; England)	Lincolnshire	East MIdlands
Grantham; South Kesteven (East Midlands; England)	Lincolnshire	East MIdlands
Lumley Road; Skegness; East Lindsey (East Midlands; England)	Lincolnshire	East MIdlands
High Street; Mablethorpe; East Lindsey (East Midlands; England)	Lincolnshire	East MIdlands
Sleaford	Lincolnshire	East Midlands
City of London;  London (London; England)	London, City of	London
Southport; Sefton (North West; England)	Merseyside	North West
Birkenhead; Wirral (North West; England)	Merseyside	North West
Huyton; Knowsley (North West; England)	Merseyside	North West
St Helens; St. Helens (North West; England)	Merseyside	North West
Banks Road; West Kirby; Wirral (North West; England)	Merseyside	North West
Stanley Road; Bootle; Sefton (North West; England)	Merseyside	North West
Kirkby	Merseyside	North West
Prescot	Merseyside	North West
Liverpool City Centre (Incl. Chavasse Park)	Merseyside	North West
Sutton; Sutton (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Croydon; London (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Bromley; London (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Hounslow; Hounslow (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Kingston upon Thames; London (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Ealing; Ealing (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Romford; London (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Ilford; London (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Lewisham; Lewisham (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Brixton; Lambeth (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Richmond upon Thames; Richmond upon Thames (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Tooting; London (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Walthamstow; Waltham Forest (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Barking; Barking and Dagenham (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Bexleyheath; Bexley (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Woolwich; Greenwich (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Camden Town; London (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Finsbury Park; Islington (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Uxbridge; Hillingdon (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Enfield; Enfield (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Rushey Green; Catford; Lewisham (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Whitechapel Road; Whitechapel; Tower Hamlets (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Harrow on the Hill (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Shoreditch; Hackney (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
The Stratford Centre; Stratford; Newham (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
Craven Park Road; Harlesden; Brent (London; England)	Metropolitan Police	London
West End, Westminster	Metropolitan Police	London
Ladbroke Grove, Kensington and Chelsea	Metropolitan Police	London
Mitcham, Merton	Metropolitan Police	London
Grahame Park, Barnet	Metropolitan Police	London
Elephant and Castle, Southwark	Metropolitan Police	London
Shepherd’s Bush Green, Hammersmith and Fulham	Metropolitan Police	London
King’s Lynn; King’s Lynn and West Norfolk (East of England; England)	Norfolk	East of England
Magdalen Street; Coslany; Norwich (East of England; England)	Norfolk	East of England
Diss; South Norfolk (East of England; England)	Norfolk	East of England
Dereham; Breckland (East of England; England)	Norfolk	East of England
Great Yarmouth; Great Yarmouth (East of England; England)	Norfolk	East of England
Thetford	Norfolk	East of England
Gorleston	Norfolk	East of England
Downham Market	Norfolk	East of England
Wrecsam; Wrexham (Wales)	North Wales	Wales
Rhyl; Denbighshire (Wales)	North Wales	Wales
Holyhead; Isle of Anglesey (Wales)	North Wales	Wales
Caernarfon; Gwynedd (Wales)	North Wales	Wales
Llandudno; Conwy (Wales)	North Wales	Wales
High Street; Mold; Flintshire (Wales)	North Wales	Wales
Abergele Road; Bae Colwyn; Conwy (Wales)	North Wales	Wales
High Street; Bangor; Gwynedd (Wales)	North Wales	Wales
High Street; Pwllheli; Gwynedd (Wales)	North Wales	Wales
Scarborough; Scarborough (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	North Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
York; York (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	North Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Malton; Ryedale (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	North Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Northallerton; Hambleton (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	North Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Richmond; Richmondshire (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	North Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Selby; Selby (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	North Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Skipton; Craven (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	North Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Harrogate; Harrogate (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	North Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Whitby; Scarborough (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	North Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Ripon; Harrogate (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	North Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
High Street; Knaresborough; Harrogate (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	North Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Northampton; Northampton (East Midlands; England)	Northamptonshire	East Midlands
Kettering; Kettering (East Midlands; England)	Northamptonshire	East Midlands
Corby; Corby (East Midlands; England)	Northamptonshire	East Midlands
Rushden; East Northamptonshire (East Midlands; England)	Northamptonshire	East Midlands
Wellingborough; Wellingborough (East Midlands; England)	Northamptonshire	East Midlands
Daventry; Daventry (East Midlands; England)	Northamptonshire	East Midlands
Wellingborough Road; Abington; Northampton (East Midlands; England)	Northamptonshire	East Midlands
Sunderland; Sunderland (North East; England)	Northumbria	North East
South Shields; South Tyneside (North East; England)	Northumbria	North East
Whitley Bay; North Tyneside (North East; England)	Northumbria	North East
Berwick-upon-Tweed; Northumberland (North East; England)	Northumbria	North East
Bondgate Within; Alnwick; Northumberland (North East; England)	Northumbria	North East
Hexham; Northumberland (North East; England)	Northumbria	North East
Newgate Street; Morpeth; Northumberland (North East; England)	Northumbria	North East
Blyth; Northumberland (North East; England)	Northumbria	North East
High Street; Gateshead; Gateshead (North East; England)	Northumbria	North East
The Galleries; Washington; Sunderland (North East; England)	Northumbria	North East
High Street East; Wallsend; North Tyneside (North East; England)	Northumbria	North East
North Shields; North Tyneside (North East; England)	Northumbria	North East
Ashington	Northumbria	North East
Byker	Northumbria	North East
Newcastle	Northumbria	North East
West Road/ Elswick	Northumbria	North East
Jarrow	Northumbria	North East
West Bridgford; Rushcliffe (East Midlands; England)	Nottinghamshire	East Midlands
Beeston; Broxtowe (East Midlands; England)	Nottinghamshire	East Midlands
Arnold; Gedling (East Midlands; England)	Nottinghamshire	East Midlands
Newark-on-Trent; Newark and Sherwood (East Midlands; England)	Nottinghamshire	East Midlands
Mansfield; Mansfield (East Midlands; England)	Nottinghamshire	East Midlands
Hucknall; Ashfield (East Midlands; England)	Nottinghamshire	East Midlands
Worksop; Bassetlaw (East Midlands; England)	Nottinghamshire	East Midlands
Retford; Bassetlaw (East Midlands; England)	Nottinghamshire	East Midlands
Radford Road; Hyson Green; Nottingham (East Midlands; England)	Nottinghamshire	East Midlands
Sutton in Ashfield; Ashfield (East Midlands; England)	Nottinghamshire	East Midlands
Swansea; Swansea (Wales)	South Wales	Wales
Merthyr Tudful; Merthyr Tydfil (Wales)	South Wales	Wales
Barry; Vale of Glamorgan (Wales)	South Wales	Wales
Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr; Bridgend (Wales)	South Wales	Wales
Pontypridd; Rhondda Cynon Taf (Wales)	South Wales	Wales
Neath; Neath Port Talbot (Wales)	South Wales	Wales
Aberdare; Rhondda Cynon Taf (Wales)	South Wales	Wales
Glebe Street; Penarth; Vale of Glamorgan (Wales)	South Wales	Wales
Cowbridge Road East; Canton; Cardiff (Wales)	South Wales	Wales
Albany Road; Y Rhath; Cardiff (Wales)	South Wales	Wales
Barnsley; Barnsley (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	South Yorkshire	Yorkshire and The Humber
Sheffield City; Sheffield (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	South Yorkshire	Yorkshire and The Humber
Doncaster; Doncaster (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	South Yorkshire	Yorkshire and The Humber
Rotherham; Rotherham (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	South Yorkshire	Yorkshire and The Humber
High Street; Mexborough; Doncaster (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	South Yorkshire	Yorkshire and The Humber
Staffordshire	Staffordshire	West Midlands
Ipswich; Ipswich (East of England; England)	Suffolk	East of England
Felixstowe; East Suffolk (East of England; England)	Suffolk	East of England
Sudbury; Babergh (East of England; England)	Suffolk	East of England
Stowmarket; Mid Suffolk (East of England; England)	Suffolk	East of England
Bury St Edmunds; West Suffolk (East of England; England)	Suffolk	East of England
Beccles; East Suffolk (East of England; England)	Suffolk	East of England
London Road North; Lowestoft; East Suffolk (East of England; England)	Suffolk	East of England
High Street; Newmarket; West Suffolk (East of England; England)	Suffolk	East of England
Thoroughfare; Woodbridge; East Suffolk (East of England; England)	Suffolk	East of England
Guildford; Guildford (South East; England)	Surrey	South East
Dorking; Mole Valley (South East; England)	Surrey	South East
Caterham; Tandridge (South East; England)	Surrey	South East
Epsom; Epsom and Ewell (South East; England)	Surrey	South East
Walton-on-Thames; Elmbridge (South East; England)	Surrey	South East
Reigate; Reigate and Banstead (South East; England)	Surrey	South East
Farnham; Waverley (South East; England)	Surrey	South East
Woking; Woking (South East; England)	Surrey	South East
Camberley; Surrey Heath (South East; England)	Surrey	South East
Staines-upon-Thames; Spelthorne (South East; England)	Surrey	South East
Addlestone; Runnymede (South East; England)	Surrey	South East
Eastbourne; Eastbourne (South East; England)	Sussex	South East
Worthing; Worthing (South East; England)	Sussex	South East
Hastings; Hastings (South East; England)	Sussex	South East
Uckfield; Wealden (South East; England)	Sussex	South East
Lewes; Lewes (South East; England)	Sussex	South East
East Grinstead; Mid Sussex (South East; England)	Sussex	South East
Horsham; Horsham (South East; England)	Sussex	South East
Hove; Brighton and Hove (South East; England)	Sussex	South East
Bexhill-on-Sea; Rother (South East; England)	Sussex	South East
Crawley; Crawley (South East; England)	Sussex	South East
Chichester; Chichester (South East; England)	Sussex	South East
Bognor Regis; Arun (South East; England)	Sussex	South East
High Street; Hailsham; Wealden (South East; England)	Sussex	South East
Burgess Hill; Mid Sussex (South East; England)	Sussex	South East
South Road; Haywards Heath; Mid Sussex (South East; England)	Sussex	South East
Seaford; Lewes (South East; England)	Sussex	South East
High Street; Rye; Rother (South East; England)	Sussex	South East
London Road; Round Hill; Brighton and Hove (South East; England)	Sussex	South East
High Street; Shoreham-by-Sea; Adur (South East; England)	Sussex	South East
High Street; Littlehampton; Arun (South East; England)	Sussex	South East
Kings Road; St Leonards-on-Sea; Hastings (South East; England)	Sussex	South East
Thames Valley	Thames Valley	South East
Stratford-upon-Avon; Stratford-on-Avon (West Midlands; England)	Warwickshire	West Midlands
Royal Leamington Spa; Warwick (West Midlands; England)	Warwickshire	West Midlands
Royal Leamington Spa; Warwick (West Midlands; England) – 1	Warwickshire	West Midlands
Nuneaton; Nuneaton and Bedworth (West Midlands; England)	Warwickshire	West Midlands
Rugby; Rugby (West Midlands; England)	Warwickshire	West Midlands
Bedworth	Warwickshire	West Midlands
Warwick	Warwickshire	West Midlands
The Homend; Ledbury; County of Herefordshire (West Midlands; England)	West Mercia	West Midlands
Evesham; Wychavon (West Midlands; England)	West Mercia	West Midlands
Great Malvern; Malvern Hills (West Midlands; England)	West Mercia	West Midlands
Hereford; County of Herefordshire (West Midlands; England)	West Mercia	West Midlands
Ross-on-Wye; County of Herefordshire (West Midlands; England)	West Mercia	West Midlands
Leominster; County of Herefordshire (West Midlands; England)	West Mercia	West Midlands
Redditch; Redditch (West Midlands; England)	West Mercia	West Midlands
Bromsgrove; Bromsgrove (West Midlands; England)	West Mercia	West Midlands
Wellington; Telford and Wrekin (West Midlands; England)	West Mercia	West Midlands
Shrewsbury; Shropshire (West Midlands; England)	West Mercia	West Midlands
Worcester; Worcester (West Midlands; England)	West Mercia	West Midlands
High Street; Droitwich Spa; Wychavon (West Midlands; England)	West Mercia	West Midlands
Ludlow; Shropshire (West Midlands; England)	West Mercia	West Midlands
High Street; Bridgnorth; Shropshire (West Midlands; England)	West Mercia	West Midlands
Kidderminster; Wyre Forest (West Midlands; England)	West Mercia	West Midlands
Croesoswallt; Shropshire (West Midlands; England)	West Mercia	West Midlands
Walsall; Walsall (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
High Street; Erdington; Birmingham (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
Parade; Royal Sutton Coldfield; Birmingham (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
Coventry Road; Sparkbrook; Birmingham (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
Alum Rock Road; Saltley; Birmingham (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
Vyse Street; Hockley; Birmingham (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
Soho Road; Gib Heath; Birmingham (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
Dudley; Dudley (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
High Street; Blackheath; Sandwell (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
High Street; Brockmoor; Dudley (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
High Street; Stourbridge; Dudley (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
Wednesbury; Sandwell (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
Bilston; Wolverhampton (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
Stafford Street; Willenhall; Walsall (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
Bearwood Road; Bearwood; Birmingham (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
Cape Hill; Cape Hill; Sandwell (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
Wolverhampton; Wolverhampton (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
Solihull; Solihull (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
Warwick Road; Acocks Green; Birmingham (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
Bristol Road South; Northfield; Birmingham (West Midlands; England) – 1	West Midlands	West Midlands
Stratford Road; Sparkhill; Birmingham (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
Stratford Road; Showell Green; Birmingham (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
Ladypool Road; Balsall Heath; Birmingham (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
High Street; King’s Heath; Birmingham (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
Stratford Road; Shirley Street; Solihull (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
Far Gosford Street; Gosford Green; Coventry (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
Coventry; Coventry (West Midlands; England)	West Midlands	West Midlands
Castleford; Wakefield (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	West Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Pontefract; Wakefield (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	West Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Cleckheaton; Kirklees (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	West Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Dewsbury; Kirklees (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	West Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Wakefield; Wakefield (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	West Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Queen Street; City; Leeds (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	West Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Hebden Bridge; Calderdale (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	West Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Keighley; Bradford (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	West Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Commercial Street; Brighouse; Calderdale (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	West Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Halifax; Calderdale (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	West Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Huddersfield; Kirklees (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	West Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Otley; Leeds (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	West Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Roundhay Road; Harehills Corner; Leeds (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	West Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Station Road; Cross Gates; Leeds (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	West Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Ilkley; Bradford (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	West Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Shipley; Bradford (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	West Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Bradford; Bradford (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	West Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Wetherby; Leeds (Yorkshire and The Humber; England)	West Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Morley	West Yorkshire	Yorkshire and the Humber
Trowbridge; Wiltshire (South West; England)	Wiltshire	South West
Chippenham; Wiltshire (South West; England)	Wiltshire	South West
High Street; Marlborough; Wiltshire (South West; England)	Wiltshire	South West
Swindon; Swindon (South West; England)	Wiltshire	South West
Salisbury; Wiltshire (South West; England)	Wiltshire	South West

The press release issued by the Home Office on 3 July 2025.

Victims and survivors of terrorism will receive strengthened support as the government today launches a commercial competition to establish a new dedicated support hub.

As part of the Plan for Change, the government committed to establishing a new dedicated support hub for victims and survivors, supporting their needs in the immediate and long-term aftermath of a terrorist attack.

The new 24/7 support hub will provide specialist, trauma-informed care to victims and survivors of terrorism, ensuring they have access to the help they need.

The tender, which opened on Thursday 3 July, is supported by Pool Re, a strategic partner in the government’s CONTEST strategy and the Counter Terrorism Alliance. Pool Re has provided funding to help deliver on our shared mission of supporting victims and survivors.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis said:

The repercussions of a terrorist attack are catastrophic. Victims and survivors require dedicated care to help rebuild their lives.

This new hub will give victims the comprehensive support they need, and I thank Pool Re for being a crucial partner in delivering this.

Tom Clementi, Director and CEO of Pool Re, said:

Pool Re is proud to support victims and survivors of terrorism. As the UK’s largest terrorism reinsurer, we recognise that while the economic impact of terrorism is often in the spotlight, the human cost is just as significant.

This dedicated support hub will help ensure that those affected receive the long-term care they deserve. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Home Office through the Counter Terrorism Alliance, to increase the UK’s resilience to the impact of terrorism attacks.

The 24/7 support hub is a part of wider reforms that have been designed in response to direct engagement with victims and survivors, and insights drawn from international best practice.

In March, the government also announced a consultation on a new National Day for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism. This closed on 11 June and sought views on proposals to help the country to remember and honour those who have been tragically killed or impacted by terrorist attacks. The outcome of the consultation will follow in due course.

The Home Office Victims of Terrorism Unit will continue to engage with key stakeholders on progress.

Support is available to victims and survivors of terrorism and all those affected, regardless of whether the attack took place in the United Kingdom or overseas. More information is available at gov.uk/victimsofterrorism.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 3 July 2025.

Irish people living in the UK can soon benefit from this new British citizenship route.

Irish people living in the UK will soon be able to apply for British citizenship under a new easier, cheaper route, strengthening the unique relationship between the two countries.

Migration and Citizenship Minister Seema Malhotra visited Belfast today (3 July) to formally welcome the commencement of the British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024.

The new route, part of the act, makes it easier for Irish citizens to become British. Applicants will be subject to a more streamlined application process and will not be required to demonstrate knowledge of English language or sit the Life in the UK test.

The registration fee will be 50% cheaper than for other nationalities, at £723 for adults and £607 for children. Children looked after by the local authority will be processed free of charge, as will those who can credibly demonstrate they can’t afford the application fee.

Migration and Citizenship Minister Seema Malhotra said:

The UK and Ireland enjoy a close and continued shared history and geographic links that have fostered deep cultural connections and family ties across generations.

This new route represents the unique relationship between our two countries and builds upon the Common Travel Area arrangements that have benefited citizens of both nations for decades.

I am pleased the route will enable eligible Irish nationals who have made their home in the UK to fully participate in British society while maintaining their Irish citizenship.

Under nationality birth rights in the Good Friday Agreement, people born in Northern Ireland to a British citizen, Irish citizen or a settled person have the right to hold British and Irish nationality.

From 22 July 2025, which is when the British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024 comes into force, Irish citizens living in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man will be able to apply for British citizenship under this new, easier route.

An Irish citizen will be able to register as a British citizen where:

• they can show they have been living in the UK for the previous 5 years
• during the 5 years, they must have not been absent for a total of more than 450 days
• during the final year, they must have not been absent for more than 90 days
• during the 5 years, they must have not been in breach of the immigration laws
• they are of good character

The press release issued by the Home Office on 3 July 2025.

Seven members of a suspected organised crime group believed to have made millions have been arrested in West Yorkshire and Essex.

A suspected people-smuggling gang has been arrested for allegedly using false identity documents to smuggle hundreds of people into the UK illegally, luring them into a life of exploitation and misery.

On Tuesday 1 July, Immigration Enforcement officers executed warrants in Greater London, and Batley, West Yorkshire and arrested 7 suspects. The targets are believed to have used forged passports and visas of people with legitimate status in the UK to facilitate their illegal arrival, and subsequent employment in black market businesses.

The gang is believed to have facilitated the illegal entry of over 500 people with no right to be in the UK.

Their alleged money-grabbing scheme is believed to have developed into a wide-scale, dangerous criminal network operating across the country, with the 5 men and 3 women believed to have sent fake documents to beneficiaries to evade detection from law enforcement. The gang, who largely targeted Gambian nationals, are also suspected of re-using the fraudulent documents for different imposters hoping to make it to the UK illegally, with an ongoing investigation revealing a substantial quantity of images of passports found on the main suspect’s mobile phone.

From booking flights to housing the migrants on arrival and providing them with illegal work, the gang provided a full service and charged around £5,000 per person.

This particular gang, like many others, is believed to be charging substantial fees for arranging illegal entry to the UK, with the main suspect believed to have a turnover of over £1.3m in his bank account despite claiming to only earn £35,000 a year working for a furniture manufacturing company.

Another suspect is believed to have a turnover of over £1m across two bank accounts whilst simultaneously receiving Universal Credit. A further investigation will be launched in order to recover the profits made by this suspected organised criminal gang.

At the various addresses visited, officers seized several counterfeit identity documents which are believed to have been used in this criminal scheme.

These arrests form part of this government’s Plan for Change to strengthen the UK’s border security, which is already delivering results, with almost 30,000 people with no right to be here returned since the election and a turbocharge in immigration enforcement activity across the country which has led to a 51% increase in the number of illegal working arrests.

Organised criminal gangs who are driven by profit often go to extreme lengths to make their cash, disregarding the safety of humans. The suspects in this case are believed to have been exploiting those they promised to help by forcing them to work in private homes under their control, leaving the survivors trapped in unsafe situations and exhausted for little or no pay.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle said:

This operation is a clear display that we will not stand by and let evil criminal gangs abuse our immigration system.

This suspected gang promised their beneficiaries a better life here in the UK. Instead, they face heinous levels of exploitation which is exactly why we are working with law enforcement to ensure survivors of modern slavery are supported and the criminal gangs face justice.

Our Border Security Command has £280m of additional funding over the next 4 years to deliver the step-change required to break their business models and deliver our Plan for Change to restore order to the immigration system.

Ben Ryan, Chief Operating Officer at Medaille Trust, said:

Medaille Trust is delighted to have collaborated on this operation and to have played a part in ensuring that victims were identified and supported to begin their recovery as survivors.

We believe that collaborative efforts like this between the Home Office and civil society provide a model for confronting the evils of modern slavery; with a focus on both pursuing abusers and recognising and supporting survivors.

The Home Office’s Criminal Financial Investigations team works closely with charities like Medaille Trust to support the victims of organised crime by keeping them at the heart of any investigation, providing invaluable expertise and support to the most vulnerable. Through closer collaboration we are able to identify victims and offer them a safe haven to come forward about the abuse they have faced. Medaille Trust provide refuge and freedom from modern slavery and are one of the largest providers of supported safe house beds for victims of modern slavery in the UK.

Cracking down on abuse of the immigration system is central to securing the UK’s borders. As set out in the Immigration White Paper in May, the government will introduce tighter controls, restrictions, and scrutiny of those who attempt to abuse and misuse the immigration system. This includes strengthening border security by rolling out digital identity for all overseas citizens through the implementation of eVisas and new systems for checking visa compliance.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 1 July 2025.

Palestine Action, Maniacs Murder Cult and Russian Imperial Movement set to be banned following advice from cross-government experts.

Three dangerous, terrorist groups will be banned under plans announced by the Home Secretary today.

A draft proscription order has been laid in Parliament which will proscribe Palestine Action (PA), as well as two further groups: the Maniacs Murder Cult (MMC) and the Russian Imperial Movement (RIM).

This will make it a criminal offence to be a member of one of these groups or to invite or recklessly express support for them.

Parliament will now consider and debate the draft Order and if passed, the Order will make it an offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison to belong to or support the groups.

Proscription is ideologically neutral. By deciding to proscribe these three organisations, the government is demonstrating its zero tolerance approach to terrorism, regardless of its form or underlying ideology. National security is the government’s first priority and it will not shy away from this responsibility.

As previously put to Parliament by the Home Secretary on 23rd June, her intention to proscribe Palestine Action after following its orchestration and enaction of aggressive and intimidatory attacks against businesses, institutions and the public, which has crossed the thresholds established in the Terrorism Act 2000.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

National security is the first duty of any government, we will always take the action needed to protect our democracy and national security against different threats.

Maniacs Murder Cult, Palestine Action and the Russian Imperial Movement have each passed the threshold for proscription based on clear national security evidence and assessments.

The right to protest and the right to free speech are the cornerstone of our democracy and there are countless campaign groups that freely exercise those rights.  Violence and serious criminal damage has no place in legitimate protests.

These include attacks at Thales in Glasgow in 2022; and last year at Instro Precision in Kent and Elbit Systems UK in Bristol. The attack on the Thales defence factory in Glasgow, caused over £1 million worth of damage to parts essential for submarines. Staff fled for safety as pyrotechnics and smoke bombs were thrown in evacuation areas.

Such acts do not represent legitimate acts of protest and the level of seriousness of Palestine Action’s activity has met the test for proscription under the Terrorism Act 2000.

MMC is a white supremacist, neo-Nazi organisation that is transnational and predominantly online. It aims to encourage individuals to engage in acts of violence against those it perceives as “anti-social”, to further its causes.

MMC leaders and members have claimed a number of violent attacks globally. MMC supplies instructional material which provides information that can be used by an aspiring attacker to increase their capability or motivation to conduct a terrorist attack posing a threat to the UK.

Proscription will help deter individuals from engaging with MMC’s violent and misanthropic content. Further supporting social media platforms to remove MMC content and the Police in their efforts to respond to individuals found in possession of such material.

RIM is a white supremacist, ethno-nationalist organisation which seeks to create a new Russian Imperial State. Via its paramilitary unit, the Russian Imperial Legion, RIM has fought alongside Russian forces in Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, directly advancing its own ideological causes.

RIM manages a paramilitary training programme called Partizan, which increases the capability of attendees to conduct terrorist attacks. In 2016, two Swedish nationals attended Partizan before committing a series of bombings in Gothemburg, Sweden.

Proscribing RIM will continue the steadfast support of Ukraine in its resistance to Russian aggression and demonstrate the UK’s commitment to countering future threats from Extreme Right-Wing Terrorists.

Should Parliament vote to proscribe, the right to peaceful protest will remain protected. As will the ability to defend the rights of the Palestinian people and to oppose actions of the Israeli government. The government has carefully considered the nature and scale of Palestine Action’s activities to ensure legitimate protest is not affected.

The proscription orders will be debated in Parliament during this week. If approved, the orders will come into over the weekend.

This will mean that a total of 84 organisations are proscribed by the UK.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 1 July 2025.

New measures to protect UK from covert foreign influence came into effect on 1 July, strengthening national security, part of the Plan for Change.

National security will be bolstered as the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme launches today, one of the foundations of the government’s Plan for Change.

This landmark measure introduces an unprecedented enhanced tier, protecting our economy and society from covert activities by Iran and Russia. It also introduces a new layer of accountability around political influencing activity shedding light on attempts by overseas powers to shape UK democratic processes.

As part of the toolkit in the National Security Act 2023, FIRS will provide an unprecedented insight into covert attempts by overseas powers to influence UK democratic processes, help protect our institutions from covert interference and enhance the UK’s ability to understand and respond to threats against its democratic integrity and national security.

FIRS is a two-tier scheme: the political tier requires registration of any arrangements to carry out political influence activities in the UK on behalf of a foreign power, including political communications or lobbying senior decision-makers, such as MPs and election candidates.

A more stringent enhanced tier applies to foreign powers considered to pose a risk to the UK’s safety or interests – the whole of the Russian and Iranian states have been placed under this tier, after being approved by Parliament. This was in response to the serious threats they pose to our interests, and reflects the need to ensure transparency over covert influence activity directed by these states.

Security Minister, Dan Jarvis, said:

We welcome legitimate engagement with all countries, but we will not tolerate covert attempts to manipulate our political system or society.

The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme gives us the tools to confront growing threats to our national security, one of the foundations of our Plan for Change, without compromising the openness that defines our democracy.

Designating Russia and Iran under the enhanced tier is a vital step in protecting the safety and interests of the UK. This is about creating accountability and visibility so that covert influence operations have nowhere to hide, and ensuring we have the tools to detect and disrupt them.

These specifications will require the registration of any activities carried out in the UK at the direction of any part of the Russian or Iranian states. This explicitly includes their intelligence services – such as the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS), the Federal Security Service and the GRU – as well as both countries’ armed forces.

Registering under FIRS does not mean that an arrangement is illegitimate, or the activities are undesirable. In addition, it does not mean that the registrant needs to cease, or seek approval for, their activities. However, those who seek to act covertly for foreign powers will now face a choice – register under the scheme or risk prosecution.

Registrations under the political tier must be submitted within 28 days of the arrangement being made. For the enhanced tier, registrations must be submitted within 10 days of the arrangement being made and ahead of any activity being undertaken. Failure to register when required is a criminal offence.

To ensure the scheme is proportionate, FIRS includes exemptions, including for recognised news publishers, legal professionals acting during legal proceedings or providing legal advice, diplomats and their families, and arrangements involving the UK government.

National Security is at the centre of the UK’s domestic and international policy and is the foundation of the government’s Plan for Change. FIRS is a key part of our national security toolkit, and delivers on our ambition to make our country a harder operating environment for hostile actors.

It puts the UK at the forefront of international efforts to deter and disrupt covert foreign influence, and its world-leading tiers will address wider threats to our safety – strengthening our ability to identify and respond to activity that threatens our democratic integrity.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 1 July 2025.

The Minister for Policing and Crime Prevention has appointed Francesca Whitelaw KC as the interim Biometrics Commissioner.

The role of the Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner has been vacant since August 2024. The government is actively recruiting the next permanent Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner, through open competition.

While this campaign is ongoing, the minister has decided to appoint Francesca as the interim Biometrics Commissioner. Francesca has been appointed in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Francesca will undertake the casework functions of the Biometrics Commissioner set out under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, providing oversight of National Security Determinations and applications made under section 63G PACE by the police.

Francesca was appointed King’s Counsel in 2023 and is a leading specialist in public law, police, government, information law and human rights. She has expertise in biometrics and national security, working on several inquiries and inquests.

She will take up her post from today, Tuesday 1 July 2025, for a period of up to 6 months, until the new Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner is appointed. The Surveillance Camera Commissioner post will also remain vacant until this point.