The Policing and Crime Bill 2025: 50 New Laws to Tackle Crime and Antisocial Behaviour
- Catch A Thief UK
- Mar 1
- 5 min read
The Policing and Crime Bill 2025: 50 New Laws to Tackle Crime and Antisocial Behaviour
The Policing and Crime Bill 2025 has introduced 50 new laws aimed at cracking down on serious crime, protecting victims, and tackling antisocial behaviour across the UK. The bill gives the police and courts stronger powers to prevent criminal activity, while also creating new offences to address emerging threats.
New Criminal Offences
1. Assaulting a Retail Worker – A new offence making it illegal to attack or threaten shop workers, with tougher sentences for offenders.
2. Spiking Drinks – This offence specifically criminalises spiking drinks, separate from existing assault laws, with harsher penalties.
3. Possessing a Bladed Article with Intent to Cause Harm – Makes it an offence to carry a knife or other bladed weapon with the intention of using it to cause harm.
4. Cuckooing (Taking Over Someone’s Home for Criminal Activity) – Criminal gangs who take over vulnerable people’s homes to conduct illegal activity now face specific penalties.
5. Child Criminal Exploitation – A new offence targeting criminals who force children into drug dealing or other criminal activities.
6. Grooming as an Aggravating Factor in Sentencing – Grooming victims online or in person will be considered an aggravating factor in sentencing, leading to harsher penalties.
7. Taking Intimate Images Without Consent – Criminalises taking intimate or explicit images of individuals without their consent.
8. AI-Generated Child Abuse Material – Bans the development and possession of AI-generated child sexual abuse material.
9. Moderating Websites Hosting Child Abuse Material – Criminalises website moderators and administrators who allow child sexual abuse material on their platforms.
10. Possessing ‘SIM Farms’ for Fraudulent Use – Bans the possession and use of large numbers of SIM cards for fraud or criminal communications.
11. Organised Vehicle Theft Gangs – Introduces tougher penalties for those involved in sophisticated vehicle theft operations.
12. Illegal Proxy Purchase of Knives – Makes it illegal to buy a knife on behalf of a minor or someone banned from owning one.
13. Fake Vaccine or Medication Sales – Criminalises selling fake or unlicensed vaccines and medications.
14. Targeting People with Disabilities for Fraud – Introduces specific penalties for criminals who defraud disabled individuals.
15. Deepfake Impersonation for Fraud or Harassment – Bans the use of deepfake technology for fraud or harassment.
16. Breach of Non-Molestation Orders as an Automatic Offence – Breaching these orders will now automatically result in arrest and potential imprisonment.
17. Cyberflashing – Criminalises sending unsolicited sexual images online or via phone.
18. Upskirting and Downblousing Enhancements – Expands existing laws to cover more forms of image-based sexual abuse.
19. Serial Domestic Abusers Register – A national database will track serial domestic abusers, similar to the sex offenders' register.
20. Criminalising Forced Begging by Organised Gangs – Makes it illegal for gangs to coerce vulnerable individuals into begging for money.
21. Seizing Electronic Devices Used in Vehicle Theft – Police can now confiscate devices such as key cloners and signal jammers used in car theft.
22. Corporate Criminal Liability Reform – Large corporations can now be held criminally liable for offences committed by senior staff.
23. Suspending Criminally Associated Domain Names and IP Addresses – Courts can now order the suspension of websites and IP addresses used for criminal activity.
24. Seizing Off-Road Bikes and E-Scooters – Police can confiscate nuisance off-road bikes and e-scooters without prior warning.
25. Stalking Prevention Orders Without a Conviction – Courts can now issue Stalking Prevention Orders even if the suspect has not been convicted.
26. Compelling Online Retailers to Alert Police About Knife Sales – Online retailers must report bulk or suspicious knife sales to law enforcement.
27. Respect Orders to Tackle Persistent Antisocial Behaviour – A new type of order that allows police to ban repeat offenders from specific areas.
28. Border Force Powers to Search Digital Devices – Officers can now search electronic devices at borders for illegal content, including child abuse material.
29. Banning Face Coverings at Protests for Concealment Purposes – Makes it illegal to wear face coverings at protests to hide one’s identity.
30. Police Power to Shut Down Drug Houses Within 24 Hours – Officers can close suspected drug-dealing locations within a day.
31. Expanding Terrorism Prevention Orders – Allows police to monitor and restrict individuals suspected of planning terrorism, even without a conviction.
32. GPS Tagging for Repeat Offenders – High-risk offenders will be electronically tagged for close monitoring.
33. Making It Easier to Confiscate Criminal Assets – Strengthens laws to strip criminals of illegally obtained wealth.
34. Anonymous Jury Protection for High-Profile Cases – Jurors in cases involving organised crime or terrorism may remain anonymous for safety.
35. Faster Extradition of International Criminals – Courts can now fast-track the extradition of serious offenders.
36. Automatic Deportation of Foreign Criminals After Sentence – Foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes will be automatically deported upon release.
37. Banning Unlicensed Private Security Firms – Makes it illegal for unlicensed security firms to operate.
38. Police Power to Ban Known Shoplifters from Retail Areas – Repeat shoplifters can be banned from entire retail districts.
39. Immediate Arrest for Public Sexual Harassment – Police can arrest individuals on the spot for sexually harassing someone in public.
40. Stronger Powers Against Illegal Raves – Officers can immediately seize equipment and fine organisers.
41. Mandatory Restorative Justice for Some Offenders – Certain offenders will have to meet their victims as part of their sentencing.
42. Harsher Sentences for Catalytic Converter Theft – Criminal gangs who steal catalytic converters will face stronger penalties.
43. Making 'Stealthing' (Removing a Condom Without Consent) a Crime – Classifies this act as sexual assault.
44. Allowing Courts to Order Lifetime Internet Bans – Courts can ban convicted individuals from accessing the internet in extreme cases.
45. New Penalties for Harassing Public Transport Staff – Criminalises harassment of bus, train, and taxi staff.
46. More Police Resources for Hate Crime Investigations – Expands funding for hate crime policing units.
47. Faster Processing of Rape Cases – Courts will prioritise rape and sexual assault cases to reduce delays.
48. Longer Sentences for Serial Stalkers – Offenders who repeatedly stalk victims will receive automatic longer sentences.
49. Banning Dangerous Dog Breeds More Quickly – The government can ban dangerous dog breeds faster without parliamentary delays.
50. Immediate Drug Testing for Suspected Dealers – Police can conduct on-the-spot drug testing for those suspected of selling illegal substances.
This landmark bill significantly strengthens police powers, victim protections, and crime prevention measures, reflecting the government's commitment to a safer UK
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