What the Crime and Policing Bill 2025 Means for Public Safety

The UK government has introduced new legislation through the Crime and Policing Bill 2025, aimed at strengthening the management of offenders and keeping the public safe. At the heart of the reforms is a renewed focus on high-risk individuals who pose a continued danger, even after completing their sentence.

Under this bill, courts will now have the power to impose a Serious Offence Prevention Order (SOPO) on individuals convicted of serious violent or sexual crimes. These civil orders are designed to restrict offenders’ behaviour post-release – for example, limiting their internet access, restricting travel, or controlling who they can contact. Crucially, these orders can be imposed based on risk, even if the offender is no longer under any formal supervision.

The bill also extends Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) to allow for stronger cross-agency collaboration and information sharing. This ensures that police, probation, and other public services can take swift, coordinated action to manage the most dangerous individuals. Breaching a SOPO will be a criminal offence, carrying a sentence of up to 5 years’ imprisonment.

These reforms show a clear intent to close loopholes and give law enforcement the tools needed to protect communities. As offenders adapt, so too must our laws – and the Crime and Policing Bill 2025 represents a serious step forward in proactive offender management.