UK to Deploy Rape‑Specialist Police Teams in All Forces by 2027, PM Announces

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that by the end of 2027 every police force in England and Wales will have a dedicated team of investigators specialising in rape and other sexual offences. The move, part of a broader strategy to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG), speeds up the rollout by 18 months from the original schedule, which had the teams in place by summer 2029.

The government said the accelerated timeline will help police “laser‑focus” on these crimes and ensure perpetrators are pursued and held accountable. In addition to the specialist teams, up to ten forces will receive a share of a £13.3 million pot to strengthen protection‑order services. The funds will support electronic monitoring, exclusion zones and other measures that can restrain offenders and safeguard survivors.

Burnham said the scale of violence and abuse suffered by women and girls in the country is unacceptable and that the new teams would “go after perpetrators, enforce strict new protection orders and invest in programmes to intensively manage offenders to break the cycle of abuse.” He added that the previous plans were “too slow” and that ministers must “be laser focused” on tackling VAWG.

The Home Office first announced the specialist‑team scheme last year. Minister for Safeguarding Satvir Kaur called VAWG “one of the most critical challenges of our time” and said the government was strengthening its response by “relentlessly pursuing perpetrators and helping victims live their lives without fear.”

Reactions from the charity sector were mixed. Refuge welcomed the announcement but said the measures represented only a small portion of what is needed to support survivors. Ellie Butt, Refuge’s head of policy and public affairs, said the changes “represent only a small portion of what is needed to ensure all survivors can access timely and effective support.” She added that protection orders were “highly underutilised” and that enforcement was “often inadequate.” Butt called for genuine efforts to build confidence in policing so survivors would feel safe reporting abuse.

The accelerated rollout follows a period of political pressure over the early‑release scheme aimed at reducing prison overcrowding. Justice Secretary Alex Norris is expected to unveil a review of the scheme next week, after MPs return from summer recess. The scheme’s eligibility was recently tightened, removing the right of those convicted of rape, serious child‑sex offences and grooming to have their sentences cut. Domestic‑abuse commissioner Nicole Jacobs warned that excluding domestic abusers was “wrong and puts victims’ lives at risk” and stressed the need for confidence that victims’ safety is not compromised.

In December, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described VAWG as a “national emergency” and criticised the “postcode lottery” in how police investigate cases. Her statement came before the government’s decision to accelerate the specialist‑team rollout.

The new teams will be tasked with investigating rape and sexual‑offence cases, supporting victims, enforcing protection orders, and managing offenders to reduce re‑offending. The £13.3 million protection‑order fund will help forces adopt technology and best practice, while the specialist investigators will bring expertise and a consistent approach across all forces.

If the rollout proceeds as announced, the UK will have a nationwide network of sexual‑offence specialists by 2027, a significant expansion from the initial plan. The government’s emphasis on speed, funding and enforcement reflects a broader strategy to address VAWG, though critics argue that additional measures are needed to fully support survivors and prevent abuse.