UK Government Introduces Crime And Policing Bill To Tackle Rising Crime

Khushboo Malhotra

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The UK government has introduced the Crime and Policing Bill 2025 to the House of Commons, outlining wide-ranging reforms aimed at curbing serious violence, restoring public trust in policing and ensuring safer communities.

The bill, tabled on 25th February 2025, forms a core part of the government’s safer-streets mission and proposes sweeping changes to address long-standing failures in the criminal justice system.

Though covering a lot, the legislation targets pressing issues including knife crime, violence against women and girls, anti-social behaviour, retail theft, terrorism and child sexual abuse. In fact, it builds on the 2023–24 Criminal Justice Bill and incorporates recommendations from recent inquiries.

Reviving Community Policing

The Crime and Policing Bill addresses concerns about the erosion of neighbourhood policing, which has suffered setbacks over the past decade due to staffing shortages and redeployments.

“These provisions aim to improve transparency and fairness, while rebuilding public trust in law enforcement.”

Measures include increasing frontline presence and equipping officers with enhanced powers to deal with a broad spectrum of crimes. By reinforcing police capability and visibility with stronger powers and crucial reforms, the government aims to rebuild public confidence and reconnect police forces with the communities they serve.

Anti-Social Behaviour And Retail Crime

A key component of the bill is the introduction of “respect orders” — restrictions that can be imposed on individuals engaged in persistent anti-social behaviour, with criminal penalties for breaches.

In response to a sharp rise in retail crime, the bill introduces a new offence for assaulting retail workers.

However, it also repeals section 176 of the 2014 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, which previously downgraded the response to low-value shoplifting. The change ensures theft is treated with greater seriousness, regardless of value.

Halving Knife Crime: Ronan’s Law

One of the bill’s flagship goals is to halve knife crime over the next decade. Under “Ronan’s Law” — named in memory of knife attack victim Ronan Kanda — the bill introduces a new offence for possessing a knife or bladed article with intent to harm.

It also strengthens penalties for the manufacturing, sale and possession of prohibited weapons.

“Measures include increasing frontline presence and equipping officers with enhanced powers to deal with a broad spectrum of crimes.”

Additionally, it empowers police to seize knives from private properties, with reasonable grounds to believe the knife will be used for unlawful violence or other crimes. This will further bolster efforts to reduce the use of dangerous weapons in the community.

Measures To Protect Women And Vulnerable Groups

In a bid to tackle violence against women and girls, the bill creates a standalone offence of spiking, enhances stalking protection orders and grants victims the right to know the identity of their stalkers.

Perpetrators of spiking and non-consensual image sharing will face tougher penalties. The government also plans to implement specialised guidance to help agencies combat stalking more effectively.

“Proposes sweeping changes to address long-standing failures in the criminal justice system.”

Further protections are proposed for victims of child sexual abuse and exploitation. A new offence will target “cuckooing” — a practice where criminal gangs exploit vulnerable individuals by taking over their homes.

The bill also mandates improved reporting and offender management systems.

Boosting Police Powers

The bill seeks to improve the response to criminal activity by expanding police powers. By doing this, they will address theft, drug-related crime and organised offences.

Notably, it authorises expanded drug testing upon arrest to direct drug users into treatment. Officers will also gain access to vehicle licensing data to identify suspects and search properties for stolen goods located through GPS tracking.

Combating Child Sexual Abuse And AI-Generated Material

The Crime and Policing Bill also introduces offences to counter child criminal exploitation, including criminalising AI models used to generate child sexual abuse material.

Border Force officers will be granted authority to search digital devices of individuals entering the UK in efforts to combat online abuse at the border.

Police Accountability Reforms

A critical component of the legislation is the overhaul of police misconduct processes. Chief officers will be granted the right to appeal disciplinary board outcomes, and anonymity will be extended to firearms officers under criminal investigation until a conviction is secured.

These provisions aim to improve transparency and fairness, while rebuilding public trust in law enforcement.

Parliamentary Progress

The bill has passed its first and second readings in the House of Commons and now proceeds to its third reading. MPs have tabled amendments during its scrutiny, given the scope and complexity of the proposals.

Full details of the bill and its policy implications are available on the UK government’s official website.

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Featured image courtesy of  King’s Church International on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.