The Crime and Policing Act 2026 introduces a wide range of reforms aimed at strengthening public protection. From tackling violence against women and girls, reducing antisocial behaviour and improving the criminal justice response to exploitation and serious offending, the reforms recognise crucial needs of change. While many of the measures are policing-focused, several are likely to be particularly relevant for professionals working in the justice system, including barristers, children’s solicitors, Cafcass guardians, local authority lawyers and social workers.

What are the changes?

Stronger protection for children at the risk of criminal exploitation

The Act introduces a new offence of child criminal exploitation, recognising the grooming, coercion and manipulation of children into criminal activity as a criminal offence in its own right. This is intended to strengthen safeguarding measures and support agencies in identifying and protecting children who are exploited through county lines, organised crime and other forms of criminal exploitation.

Greater protection for victims of violence against women and girls

The new legislation includes new offences and measures aimed at improving protection for victims of violence against women and girls. These include a standalone offence of spiking, stronger stalking provisions and additional powers to help police intervene earlier where there are concerns about abuse or harm. For many legal professionals working across family and criminal law, these changes may have implications where criminal investigations run alongside safeguarding or care proceedings.

Expanded police powers

The Act gives police a number of additional investigatory powers, including wider powers to drug test suspects arrested for certain offences and strengthened powers relating to offensive weapons and serious violence. While these changes sit within the criminal justice system, they may also affect how evidence is gathered and shared in cases involving children and vulnerable adults.

A new approach to tackling antisocial behaviour

Existing civil injunctions will be replaced by respect orders, designed to provide a more robust response to persistent antisocial behaviour. Legal professionals and safeguarding practitioners working with children and families may see these orders used alongside existing child protection and welfare measures where community safety concerns arise.

Strengthening support for victims

Alongside the introduction of new offences, the Act forms part of a wider programme to improve the justice system. It places further emphasis on partnership working between the police, local authorities, children’s services and the courts, with the aim of delivering a more cohesive approach to safeguarding and protecting those that are most vulnerable.

What does this mean for legal professionals?

The Crime and Policing Act 2026 is likely to have an impact across both the criminal and family justice systems. For care solicitors, children's guardians, lawyers and barristers, the reforms reinforce the importance of a joined-up approach to safeguarding where criminal investigations and care proceedings overlap.

In particular, the new offence of child criminal exploitation is likely to influence how exploitation is identified, evidenced and addressed in both criminal and family cases. Professionals may also see greater collaboration between police, local authorities and children's services, as well as changes to the evidence and safeguarding issues considered by the courts.

As the reforms are introduced in stages, staying up to date with new guidance and emerging case law will be important to understanding their practical impact on legal practice.