The Crime and Policing Act 2026 (Commencement No. 5) Regulations 2026
Activated multiple sections of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 concerning domestic abuse, stalking, internet suspensions, and historic juvenile convictions.
These Regulations bring into force various provisions of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland between November 2026 and January 2027.
The instrument activates new criminal offences regarding child sexual abuse manuals, establishes powers for internet address suspensions, and introduces Stalking and Domestic Abuse Protection Orders.
It also mandates the issuance of statutory guidance on honour-based abuse and stalking, while providing for the disregard of historic convictions for minors involved in loitering or soliciting.
The regulations apply to the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, and individuals subject to criminal proceedings or protective orders.
Arguments For
The regulations bring into force legislative measures intended to address child sexual abuse by criminalising the possession of advice or guidance on creating such images.
The document specifies new legal mechanisms for protection, including Domestic Abuse Protection Orders and Stalking Protection Orders available upon conviction or acquittal.
The regulations authorize law enforcement or relevant authorities to suspend internet protocol (IP) addresses and domain names as provided for in the 2026 Act.
The document aims to provide statutory clarity by bringing into force requirements for official guidance regarding stalking and honour-based abuse.
Proponents of the underlying Act, as referenced in the explanatory note, argue that these changes provide necessary pardons and disregards for individuals cautioned or convicted of loitering or soliciting while under the age of 18.
Arguments Against
Legal practitioners may identify complexities in the partial commencement of section 142, which excludes civil and family proceedings from the initial implementation of Domestic Abuse Protection Orders.
Digital rights groups have previously questioned the technical feasibility and potential for overreach regarding the suspension of internet protocol addresses and domain names.
The staggered implementation dates (ranging from 24 November 2026 to 15 January 2027) may create temporary administrative burdens for police forces and courts adapting to multiple new legal standards in a short period.
The explanatory note indicates that no specific impact assessment was conducted for these regulations, relying instead on the broad assessment for the primary Act, which may not account for specific commencement timing issues.
Citation and interpretation
1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Crime and Policing Act 2026 (Commencement No. 5) 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 and defines the abbreviated term for the primary legislation being implemented.
It ensures that all subsequent references to 'the 2026 Act' refer specifically to the Crime and Policing Act 2026.
Provision coming into force on 24th November 2026
- Section 75 (possession of advice or guidance about creating etc CSA images: England and Wales and Northern Ireland) of the 2026 Act comes into force on 24th November 2026.
This section brings into effect the law prohibiting the possession of manuals or guidance related to the creation of child sexual abuse images.
This provision applies to individuals within the jurisdictions of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Provision coming into force on 25th November 2026
3.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), section 142 (domestic abuse protection orders) of the 2026 Act comes into force on 25th November 2026.
(2) Subsection 142(2) comes into force for all purposes on 25th November 2026 except for the purpose of—
- (a) civil proceedings (as referred to in section 31 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021),
- (b) family proceedings (as referred to in section 31 and defined in section 56(1) of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021).
This section activates the legal framework for Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs).
While most aspects take effect on 25 November 2026, the specific powers under subsection 142(2) are restricted and do not yet apply to cases handled within family or civil courts.
Provisions coming into force on 26th November 2026
- The following provisions of the 2026 Act come into force on 26th November 2026—
- (a) section 128 (stalking protection orders on acquittal etc);
- (b) section 129 (stalking protection orders on conviction).
This section authorizes courts to issue stalking protection orders in two specific circumstances.
It allows for such orders to be made both when a defendant is convicted of an offence and when they are acquitted, provided certain criteria are met.
Provisions coming into force on 30th November 2026
- The following provisions of the 2026 Act come into force on 30th November 2026—
- (a) section 170 (suspension of internet protocol addresses and internet domain names);
- (b) Schedule 18 (suspension of internet protocol addresses and internet domain names).
This section activates new powers and procedures for the suspension of IP addresses and domain names.
These measures provide a legal basis for authorities to disrupt online activity associated with criminal conduct.
Provisions coming into force on 7th December 2026
- The following provisions of the 2026 Act come into force on 7th December 2026—
- (a) section 131 (guidance about stalking);
- (b) section 143 (guidance about honour-based abuse);
- (c) section 144 (meaning of “honour-based abuse”).
This section requires the government to provide formal guidance regarding stalking and honour-based abuse.
It also establishes the statutory definition of 'honour-based abuse' to be used by public authorities and the courts.
Provisions coming into force on 15th January 2027
- Sections 116 and 117 (convictions and cautions for loitering or soliciting when under 18) of the 2026 Act come into force on 15th January 2027.
This section activates provisions that allow for the disregard of past convictions or cautions for loitering and soliciting if the individual was under 18 at the time. This effectively removes these specific historic offences from a person's accessible criminal record.
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