PM accelerates roll out of police rape and sexual offence teams

The Government has brought forward the nationwide rollout of specialist rape and sexual offence investigation teams, positioning the reforms as a central pillar of its Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy. Originally scheduled for completion in summer 2029, all police forces in England and Wales will now have dedicated units in place by December 2027, accelerating delivery by 18 months.

The specialist teams—first announced in the Government’s landmark VAWG Strategy—are designed to strengthen investigations, improve victim support, and ensure perpetrators are relentlessly pursued. Ministers say the accelerated rollout reflects the urgency of tackling sexual violence, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham describing the scale of abuse faced by women and girls as “unacceptable” and calling for a “laser‑focused” national response.

Safeguarding Minister Satvir Kaur said the reforms represent one of the most significant steps yet in delivering the VAWG Strategy’s commitments, ensuring victims “get the protection and support they deserve” while driving improvements in policing and offender management.

The announcement sits alongside wider measures within the VAWG Strategy, including new Protection Order Teams funded through a £13.3 million package to enforce electronic monitoring, exclusion zones and behaviour‑change requirements for high‑risk offenders. These orders—designed to provide long‑term protection—form part of the Government’s broader crackdown on violence against women and girls.

The Institute of Licensing (IoL) has highlighted that licensing‑related reforms also feature within the VAWG Strategy, with implications for local authorities and the night‑time economy. IoL members can follow ongoing developments and implementation updates through the Institute’s resources hub.