The UK government plans to implement specialist investigators for rape and sex offences in all police forces across England and Wales by the end of 2027, accelerating the timeline by 18 months. This initiative aims to address violence against women and girls, with additional funding for protection orders also being provided to some forces.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham emphasized the urgency of tackling these crimes, while charities have welcomed the measures but noted that more comprehensive support is necessary for victims. The Home Office had initially set a deadline of summer 2029 for this rollout.