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Crime and Policing Bill
Last updated: 12 February 2026 · Analysed: 15 February 2026
This omnibus bill introduces wide-ranging measures to tackle anti-social behaviour, knife crime, and retail theft, while creating specific offences for child criminal exploitation and "cuckooing." It expands police powers regarding digital evidence, public order at protests, and drug testing, alongside significant changes to corporate criminal liability and the decriminalisation of abortion for women acting in relation to their own pregnancy.
📊 Impact Analysis
Economy
The bill aims to reduce substantial losses from retail crime but introduces new compliance burdens for businesses and technology platforms.
By removing the £200 threshold for shoplifting prosecutions and creating a specific offence for assaulting retail workers, the bill addresses the billions lost annually to retail crime, potentially stabilising high street commerce. However, the expansion of corporate criminal liability for senior managers and new civil penalties for online platforms hosting weapon advertisements will increase regulatory risks and compliance costs for the private sector.
Government Finances
Increased enforcement and incarceration costs are likely to outweigh revenue generated from asset recovery and civil penalties.
While the bill strengthens the confiscation of criminal assets and introduces civil penalties for tech firms, the operational costs are substantial. Implementing new 'Respect orders,' processing new criminal offences, and the inevitable increase in custodial sentences will place significant strain on the courts, police resources, and an already overcrowded prison system, leading to higher long-term public expenditure.
Fairness & Justice
The bill strengthens protections for vulnerable victims but risks disproportionate enforcement against marginalised groups.
The removal of the limitation period for civil claims regarding child sexual abuse and the criminalisation of 'cuckooing' provide crucial justice mechanisms for victims. However, the expansion of discretionary police powers—such as drug testing in detention and broad anti-social behaviour orders—raises concerns about discriminatory application against minority ethnic groups and those with complex needs like homelessness.
Liberty & Autonomy
The bill significantly expands state surveillance and restricts protest rights, though it increases reproductive autonomy for women.
Civil liberties are restricted through new powers allowing police to extract data from cloud accounts, suspend IP addresses, and ban face coverings at protests. Conversely, the specific provision removing women from the criminal law related to their own abortion marks a significant increase in personal liberty and bodily autonomy, removing the threat of prosecution for ending a pregnancy.
Welfare & Quality of Life
Measures to tackle anti-social behaviour and violent crime are expected to improve community safety and public confidence.
By targeting high-harm behaviours such as knife crime, spiking, and persistent anti-social behaviour, the bill addresses key drivers of public anxiety and community degradation. The specific focus on protecting retail workers and preventing the criminal exploitation of children aims to create safer working and living environments, thereby improving overall social well-being.
Environment
The bill strengthens enforcement against waste crimes and fly-tipping.
The legislation includes specific provisions to enhance guidance and enforcement regarding fly-tipping, a significant local environmental blight. Furthermore, by categorising certain environmental offences as 'criminal lifestyle' offences for the purpose of asset confiscation, the bill creates stronger financial disincentives for organised waste crime and pollution.