Safer streets promise in government's flagship crime bill

The UK Parliament is set to unveil a significant piece of legislation granting new powers to the police in order to combat knife crime and anti-social behavior. Under this bill, police will be permitted to search residences without a warrant in the pursuit of stolen mobile phones, aiming to quickly recover stolen devices and deter future thefts.

This legislation, titled the "Crime and Policing Bill," is central to the government's "Safer Streets Mission," with the government hoping it will become law before the end of the year. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that the bill will "take back our streets and town centers and restore respect for law and order," reflecting a commitment to enhancing community safety and security.

The Conservative Party has stated that these plans "copy announcements from the last government." Reportedly, the "Crime and Policing Bill" brings together several measures proposed in the Labour Party's election manifesto. However, questions have been raised about whether the police have sufficient funding to implement the government's plans, potentially hindering the bill's effectiveness.

The bill includes the government's proposed "Respect Orders." These court-enforced restrictions are similar to the "Anti-Social Behavior Orders" (Asbos) devised in the Tony Blair era, which were scrapped a decade ago by the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition. While Asbos were popular with voters, critics said the restrictions often became unworkable or poorly enforced. The proposed Respect Orders would allow courts to impose restrictions on an individual's behavior, like Asbos, but could also compel them to attend programs such as addiction treatment or anger management courses to change their behavior.

Under the bill, police are empowered to enter and search a property without a court warrant, seeking stolen mobile phones or other items tracked electronically, such as laptops or bicycles with Bluetooth tags. This means victims of phone theft, after tracking their devices to the culprit, can request police to swiftly recover them, potentially reducing the time and resources required for such investigations.

Other previously announced measures in the bill include: repealing a 2014 law that categorized the theft of goods worth less than £200 as less serious than other retail thefts, thereby reducing police focus on such cases; making attacks on shop staff a criminal offense, a promise made by the Conservatives ahead of the 2024 election; giving police new powers to seize off-road bikes or e-scooters without warning; making drink spiking a new offense, separate from existing assault laws; and empowering judges to issue Stalking Protection Orders against suspects, even if they have not been convicted of a crime.

Another power already announced will be added as the bill passes through parliament, namely compelling online retailers to report bulk or suspicious sales of knives to the police. The Home Office says the bill's aims will be achieved by recruiting 13,000 extra community police officers by 2029, and the department has pledged to earmark £200 million specifically for this. But some police forces have already warned they will have to cut officers this year due to wider budget crises.

The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said last year that police forces faced a £1.3 billion funding shortfall, and that available funding was unevenly distributed between forces due to outdated rules. The Home Office has since confirmed that an extra £1.1 billion will be invested in policing by April 2026. But the NPCC warned that if the "Safer Streets" plan is to be achieved, forces will need a pay deal to help them attract and retain the best possible officers.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "For too long, communities have had to put up with rising crime in town centers and on their streets, and persistent anti-social behavior, while community policing has been cut back. For years, too little has been done to tackle the most serious violence, including knife crime and violence against women and girls. That's why the new Crime and Policing Bill is about taking back our streets and town centers, restoring respect for law and order, and giving the police and local communities the support and tools they need to crack down on local crime."

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philip said: "Labour has had 14 years to come up with new ideas, but all they have done is copy what the last government already announced. Labour's funding settlement for the police next year will be a real-terms cut of £118 million after taking into account pay rises, inflation and National Insurance increases, putting 1,800 police officers at risk. Police forces are warning that things will get even worse this year because of Labour's inadequate funding settlement."