Police forces in England and Wales to get units that tackle violence against women

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Geraldine McKelvieDecember 13, 2025 at 11:30 PM

AI Summary

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By 2029, all police forces in England and Wales will establish dedicated rape and sexual offences teams, staffed by specialist investigators. This initiative is part of a broader government strategy to combat violence against women and girls (VAWG), which Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will outline next week. The strategy includes the introduction of domestic abuse protection orders, allowing judges to impose sanctions like electronic tagging and exclusion zones on offenders. The government will also invest nearly £2 million in online investigation squads to target internet abusers. These measures respond to concerns about low charge rates and inadequate investigations of sexual violence, aiming to improve victim support and hold offenders accountable. The costs for these units will be absorbed from existing police budgets.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Shabana Mahmood ×2100% England and Wales ×3100%

Keywords

violence against women and girls 100% domestic abuse 80% rape and sexual offences 80% police forces 70% domestic abuse protection orders 60% sexual violence investigation 50% online abuse 50% specialist investigators 40% electronic tagging 40%