Crime and Policing Act receives royal assent

The UK Government’s Crime and Policing Act received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026, marking a significant development in the legislative response to crime and public safety.

The Act introduces a range of measures aimed at tackling retail crime, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, alongside stronger penalties for violence against women and girls. It also includes provisions to address cyber-enabled crime and knife crime.

Notably, the legislation removes Section 176 of the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which previously set a £200 threshold for more serious shoplifting offences.

The Act comes amid continued concern about rising retail crime. Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics indicate shoplifting offences in England and Wales rose by 5% to over 519,000 incidents in the year to September 2025.

Industry bodies have broadly welcomed the changes, while emphasising the importance of effective implementation and reporting. The legislation is expected to have implications for policing practice, prevention strategies, and partnership working across the retail sector.