Management of Offenders – The Crime and Policing Bill

The new Crime and Policing Bill that was introduced to the House of Commons on 25th February 2025, appears to be a step in the right direction towards the Government’s commitment to reducing the levels of violence against women and girls by 50% over the next 10 years, with new measures to tackle the management of sex offenders.

Elements of the Bill will focus on advanced notification requirements for sex offenders, including additional notification requirements for offenders who wish to change their names, with the police being given powers to prevent such name changes.

Below are some of the key elements in the Bill that will focus on child protection. 

Prohibiting registered sex offenders’ name changes 

At present, it is a criminal offence for a registered sex offender to change their name without notifying the police within three days of the name change.

The new Bill will require offenders to provide the police with at least seven days’ notice in advance of any name change.

The police will also be given powers to serve notices on offenders requiring them to obtain the police’s approval before changing their name. 

The police will be able to refuse a request for a name change if they believe approval would place the public or any individual at risk of sexual harm.

Changes to notification requirements

Registered Sex offenders are required to attend a designated police station annually (or whenever their details change) to provide the police with a record of their personal details.

Currently relevant offenders who have no sole or main residence, are required to notify the police every seven days

Offenders with a sole or main residence are required to notify the police of any address where they spend seven consecutive days or seven days or more cumulatively in a period of 12 months. 

The new Bill will increase the notification requirements by making it a legal requirement for offenders to notify the police in advance of any absence from their sole or main residence for five or more days.

Contact with children notifications  

Registered sex offenders are currently required to notify the police where they spend 12 hours of more in a household where children are present, requiring them to confirm the address, the date on which the stay commenced and the period of time they will be at the residence.

The new bill will remove the 12-hour time threshold for notification, and require the offender to notify the police in advance of any stay in a private place where children are present, to enable the police to take action deemed necessary in advance of any stay.

Reducing the authorising rank to inspector for warrants

If a warrant is considered necessary to enter and search an offender’s home, the court has the power under Section 96B of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 to issue a warrant, but only if a police superintendent has made an application to the court in person, which can often lead to delays.

The new Bill will allow a police inspector to authorise a Section 96B warrant application to the court, which a police constable being allowed to make the application in court.

Jordans Solicitors – helping victims of sexual abuse claim compensation.

If you have been a victim of physical and/or sexual abuse and would like to speak to one of our Specialist Abuse Lawyers in confidence, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We have the knowledge and experience to advise you on the available options for pursuing a Criminal Injuries Compensation Claim and/or civil damages claim.

Our Sexual Abuse Compensation Team can be contacted by telephoning 08009555094 or 03303001103.