New powers allowing police to search properties without a warrant for stolen phones or other electronically tracked items are set to be introduced in England and Wales as part of the government’s upcoming crime and policing bill.
The bill, which will be presented to parliament this week, focuses on addressing lower-level crimes such as theft and antisocial behaviour. Among its measures is the controversial change allowing police to enter properties without a warrant if a geotagged item, such as a phone or vehicle, is tracked to a specific location. The change aims to streamline the process, enabling authorities to act quickly when stolen property is detected, especially within the critical “golden hour” after a crime has been committed.
This particular measure is expected to be applied to cases of phone theft, using location tracking functions like “Find My Phone” to pinpoint the device’s whereabouts. However, it will also extend to any stolen item that can be located using mobile signals, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or tracking devices such as AirTags. This includes larger items like vehicles and farm equipment.
The bill, which will be read in the Commons on Tuesday, also contains a wide array of other measures designed to tackle antisocial behaviour, street crime, and violence. Among them is a new offence making it a criminal act to assault a retail worker, a response to growing concern over attacks on shop staff. It will also introduce measures aimed at protecting vulnerable individuals coerced into criminal activities, such as selling drugs.
Some provisions of the bill are drawn from the Conservatives’ previous failed criminal justice bill, including proposals to ban flares and face coverings at protests and making it illegal to climb war memorials. In addition, there are plans to introduce so-called “respect orders,” allowing individuals who habitually engage in antisocial behaviour to face prison sentences of up to two years. The bill will also give police powers to seize off-road motorbikes and vehicles used in antisocial ways.
In an effort to combat growing theft, the bill will reverse a previous policy where shoplifting of goods worth under £200 was treated as a less serious crime. Additionally, the bill will make drink spiking a specific criminal offence and will specifically outlaw “cuckooing,” where criminals use vulnerable individuals’ homes for illegal activities.
A key provision of the bill is the implementation of recommendations from the Alexis Jay report on child abuse gangs, which includes making it mandatory for adults in certain roles to report suspected child abuse cases.
Other aspects of the bill include expanded access for law enforcement to DVLA records, and the creation of a specific offence for creating explicit images of individuals without their consent.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized that the bill addresses long-standing issues of street crime and antisocial behaviour that have been exacerbated by reductions in neighbourhood policing. “For too long, communities have had to endure rising street crime and persistent antisocial behaviour. This bill is about giving the police and local communities the support and tools they need to reclaim their streets and town centres,” she said.
Described as one of the largest legislative overhauls in crime and policing in recent decades, the bill is set to be a key part of the government’s strategy to combat rising crime rates and restore respect for law and order.
Stay tuned for more updates on this significant legislation.
