The Crime and Policing Act 2026 (Commencement No.1 and Saving Provision) Regulations 2026
These Regulations bring the first wave of provisions from the Crime and Policing Act 2026 into force on 29 June 2026.
They apply to various law enforcement agencies, the Secretary of State, and several judicial bodies across England and Wales (and in specific instances, Scotland).
The regulations activate new legal standards for anti-social behaviour orders, protest-related offences, firearms regulation, intimate image offences, and police disciplinary procedures.
Arguments For
The regulations enable the operationalizing of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 by bringing specific sections into legal force on a defined date.
Proponents within the government frame these measures as necessary for addressing anti-social behaviour, enhancing police powers, and regulating protests.
The document maintains legal continuity by including a saving provision that ensures existing driver licensing record regulations remain in effect despite the substitution of their underlying primary legislation.
The document cites the authority of the Secretary of State under sections 255(1), (4), and (5) of the 2026 Act as the legal basis for these regulations.
Arguments Against
Legal commentators may note that the rapid commencement (four days after being made) could provide limited time for agencies and the public to adjust to new criminal offences and protest regulations.
Civil liberties organizations have previously raised concerns regarding the underlying provisions in the 2026 Act now being brought into force, such as the new offences for concealing identity at protests and climbing on memorials.
The scope of some provisions, such as those relating to "special police forces" or "critical police undertakings," may be perceived as ambiguous until further regulations or guidance mentioned in the document are issued.
Some specific confiscation and barred persons list provisions are commenced only for the purpose of making further regulations, creating a multi-stage implementation process that may cause initial legal uncertainty.
- —(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Crime and Policing Act 2026 (Commencement No.1 and Saving Provision) Regulations 2026.
(2) In these Regulations, ‘the 2026 Act’ means the Crime and Policing Act 2026.
This section establishes the official name of the regulations for legal citation purposes.
It also defines 'the 2026 Act' as a shorthand reference for the Crime and Policing Act 2026 throughout the remainder of the document.
- —(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the following provisions of the 2026 Act come into force on 29th June 2026—
- (a) section 3(5) and (6) (maximum duration of closure orders);
- (b) section 7 (provision of information about anti-social behaviour to Secretary of State);
- (c) section 8 (seizure of motor vehicles used in manner causing alarm, distress or annoyance);
( a ) 2026 c. 20.
- (d) section 11 (offence of trespassing with intent to commit criminal offence);
- (e) section 12 (arranging or facilitating begging for gain);
- (f) section 44 (application of Firearms Acts to sound moderators etc);
- (g) section 97 (guidance about disclosure of information by police for purpose of preventing sex offending);
- (h) section 98 (offences relating to semen-defaced images, intimate photographs or films and voyeurism) in so far as it relates to provisions commenced by sub-paragraph (z9) of this paragraph;
- (i) section 99 (purported intimate image generators);
- (j) section 100 and 101 (taking down intimate image content and consequential amendments);
- (k) section 103 (intimate image material: reporting and registration);
- (l) sections 157 to 159 (offence of concealing identity at protests and related designations);
- (m) section 160 (possession of pyrotechnic articles at protests);
- (n) section 161 (climbing on memorials);
- (o) sections 162 (protests outside public office-holder's home);
- (p) section 163 (interpretation of Chapter 1 of Part 10);
- (q) section 165 (public processions and assemblies: duty to take account of cumulative disruption);
- (r) section 166 (powers of senior officers to impose conditions on protests);
- (s) section 169 (harassment of a person in their home);
- (t) sections 176(7) and 177 (extraction of online information: confidential information and code of practice);
- (u) section 181 (access to driver licensing information) to the extent not already in force;
- (v) section 188 (cautions given to persons having limited leave to enter or remain in UK);
- (w) section 189(1) (confiscation) in so far as it relates to provisions commenced by sub-paragraph (z12);
- (x) section 199 (duty of IOPC Director General to give victims right to request review);
- (y) section 212 (special police forces: barred persons lists and advisory lists) in so far as it relates to provisions commenced by sub-paragraph (z13);
- (z) section 214 (power to give directions to critical police undertakings);
- (z1) section 219(3) (electronic monitoring of compliance with order: England and Wales);
- (z2) section 221 (data from electronic monitoring in England and Wales: code of practice);
- (z3) section 226(4) (appeal against youth diversion order etc), in so far as it extends to England and Wales and Scotland;
- (z4) section 228 (guidance relating to youth diversion orders);
- (z5) section 229 (rules of court about anonymity for respondents), in so far as it extends to England and Wales and Scotland;
- (z6) section 233 (offence of wearing or displaying articles in support of proscribed organisation);
- (z7) section 247(3)(b) (regulations relating to information in connection with an investigation into the death of a child);
- (z8) Schedule 5 (sound moderators etc: exemptions);
- (z9) paragraph 24 of Schedule 13 (priority offences under the Online Safety Act 2023);
- (z10) Schedule 14 (intimate image material: reporting and registration);
- (z11) Schedule 17 (specified memorials);
- (z12) Schedule 21 (confiscation orders: England and Wales), except paragraphs 6 and 17, Part 8, paragraph 26(1), (2) and (4) and Part 13;
- (z13) paragraphs 1(3), 5(1)(b), 6, 7(2) and (3), 9(2), 11(3) and 13(e) of Schedule 25 (special police forces: barred persons lists and advisory lists), only for the purpose of making regulations.
(2) Paragraph 26(3) of Schedule 21 to the 2026 Act comes into force only for the purpose of making regulations and for any purpose connected to the making of regulations.
This section activates a broad range of legal provisions on 29 June 2026, including new criminal offences for protest activities, trespassing, and sexual image offenses.
It also commences provisions related to police powers for seizing vehicles, managing anti-social behaviour, and regulating fireworks at protests.
Sub-paragraph (2) specifies that certain confiscation order provisions are only partially commenced, specifically to allow for the creation of further regulations rather than full implementation.
- Despite the substitution of section 71 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000( a ) by section 181 of the 2026 Act, the Motor Vehicles (Access to Driver Licensing Records) Regulations 2001( b ) continue to have effect.
This section ensures that the Motor Vehicles (Access to Driver Licensing Records) Regulations 2001 remain legally valid.
It prevents those existing regulations from being inadvertently repealed when Section 181 of the 2026 Act replaces the previous legal authority under the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000.
Related
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (Commencement No. 9) Regulations 2026
Commenced the repeal of the Vagrancy Act 1824 and its associated offences for begging and rough sleeping.
Read MoreThe Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 4) Regulations 2026
Amended data protection regulations to update search and telecommunications provisions and ensure legislative consistency.
Read MoreThe Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 (Disability and Carer Benefits) (Consequential Amendments) Order 2026
Adjusted UK-wide social security and housing benefit regulations to incorporate and recognize specific Scottish disability and carer benefits introduced under devolved legislation.
Read MoreThe Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Principality Stadium, Cardiff) Regulations 2026
Restricted the flight of unmanned aircraft near the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, on 28 June 2026.
Read More