Investigators specializing in rape and sex offenses will be present in every police force across England and Wales by the end of 2027, the government announced. This accelerated timeline, brought forward by 18 months, is part of a broader strategy to combat violence against women and girls (VAWG).
Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that the previous plans were "too slow" and that ministers need to be "laser focused" on addressing these crimes. The government is also increasing funding for some police forces to enhance protection orders for victims. The Home Office initially proposed these specialist teams, with a rollout due by summer 2029.
Burnham emphasized the unacceptable level of violence and abuse faced by women and girls, outlining the government's action to expedite the deployment of specialist teams. These units will pursue perpetrators, enforce new protection orders, and invest in programs for intensive offender management to disrupt cycles of abuse.
Approximately 10 police forces in England and Wales will receive a share of a £13.3 million fund aimed at strengthening teams that manage protection orders. These orders can include electronic monitoring, exclusion zones, and other measures for offenders. Safeguarding Minister Satvir Kaur described violence against women and girls as a "critical challenge" and highlighted the government's commitment to pursuing perpetrators and enabling victims to live without fear.
The charity Refuge acknowledged the measures but suggested they represent "only a small portion of what is needed" for survivors. The charity expressed hope that this announcement marks the "first step of many" in addressing VAWG, noting that protection orders are often underutilized and inadequately enforced.
Refuge also pointed out that survivors frequently hesitate to report abuse due to fears of not being believed. To increase the uptake of protection tools, efforts are required to build confidence in policing among women and girls and ensure that abuse is not left unreported. In December, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood had declared violence against women and girls a "national emergency," announcing plans for the specialist investigation teams and describing current police investigation methods as a "postcode lottery."
The accelerated rollout coincides with governmental scrutiny over an early release scheme intended to alleviate prison overcrowding. Justice Secretary Alex Norris is expected to present findings from a review of this scheme. The scheme's eligibility criteria were previously altered, removing the possibility of sentence reductions for individuals convicted of rape, serious child sex offenses, and grooming.