Civic intelligence prototype
An experiment in explaining, tracking and discussing real legislation. It is not an official parliamentary service, and nothing on it is a vote, a poll or legal advice. Records were verified on 2026-09-23; always check the official page for each law before relying on it.
UK Parliament — now an Act (2026 c. 20)
CRIME AND POLICING ACT 2026 (INTRODUCED AS THE CRIME AND POLICING BILL 2025)
It expands police powers and creates new offences, so the balance between enforcement capacity and individual rights shifts with each commencement.
Royal Assent was given on 29 April 2026. Home Office circulars and guidance have been issued through 2026 as provisions are commenced; check the GOV.UK collection for what is in force.
- Introduced
- 25 February 2025 — Introduced in the House of Commons
- Sponsor
- Secretary of State for the Home Department
- Responsible for it now
- Home Office and Ministry of Justice ministers
- Next milestone
- Further Home Office circulars and commencement regulations bringing remaining provisions into force, with guidance published in the GOV.UK collection as each is switched on.
The 60-second version
The Crime and Policing Act 2026 is a wide-ranging Home Office law covering antisocial behaviour, shoplifting and retail crime, knife crime and weapon sales, violence against women and girls, police powers and vetting, and changes to the criminal confiscation regime under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
It received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026 after passing through the Commons from February 2025 and the Lords from June 2025. Since then the Home Office has published factsheets and circulars — including on criminal confiscation and a new offence of climbing on memorials — as sections are brought into force.
Who is affected: police forces and the courts, retailers and their staff, people subject to antisocial behaviour powers, and anyone prosecuted under the new or amended offences.
Case in favour
- Gives police clearer powers against antisocial behaviour, shop theft and knife sales that supporters say had been weakened.
- Introduces measures aimed at serious violence and violence against women and girls as part of the Safer Streets programme.
- Tightens police vetting and misconduct rules, intended to rebuild public trust.
Case against
- Civil liberties organisations argue some new powers and offences are broadly drawn and risk disproportionate use.
- Critics question whether forces and courts have the capacity to use the powers without adding to delays.
- Several measures were amended late in the Lords, so their scope is complex and hard for the public to follow.
Independent evidence and what is still uncertain
- Because provisions commence separately, what is actually in force on a given date differs from the Act as passed.
- The deterrent effect of new offences is contested and will only be measurable after several years of data.
- Impact assessments published with the Bill in 2025 predate the amendments made during its passage.
What has happened lately
Live current reporting · AI-summarised, neutralChecking current reporting…
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