Crime and Policing Act 2026 in Scotland
2026 c. 20 · Enacted 29 April 2026 · Extends to United Kingdom
An Act to make provision about anti-social behaviour, offensive weapons, offences against people (including sexual offences), property offences, the criminal exploitation of persons, sex offenders, stalking and public order; to make provision about powers of the police, the border force and other similar persons; to make provision about confiscation; to make provision about the police; to make provision about terrorism and national security, and about international agreements relating to crime; to make provision about the criminal liability of bodies; and for connected purposes.
[29th April 2026]
Be it enacted by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
Contents
- Part 1: Anti-social behaviour
- Chapter 2: Other provision about anti-social behaviour
- 10Fly-tipping: penalty points on driving record Not yet in force
- Part 2: Offensive weapons
- Chapter 1: Online advertising etc of unlawful weapons: civil penalties Not yet in force
- 13“Relevant user-to-user services”, “relevant search services” and “service providers” Not yet in force
- 14Coordinating officer Not yet in force
- 15Notice requiring appointment of content manager Not yet in force
- 16Appointment of content manager following change of circumstances Not yet in force
- 17Replacement of content manager Not yet in force
- 18Duty to notify changes in required information Not yet in force
- 19Failure to comply with content manager requirements: civil penalty Not yet in force
- 20Unlawful weapons content Not yet in force
- 21Content removal notices Not yet in force
- 22Content removal notices: review Not yet in force
- 23Decision notices requiring removal of unlawful weapons content Not yet in force
- 24Failure to comply with content removal notice or decision notice: civil penalties Not yet in force
- 25Guidance Not yet in force
- 26Notices Not yet in force
- 27Interpretation of Chapter Not yet in force
- Chapter 2: Other provision about offensive weapons
- Offences relating to offensive weapons Not yet in force
- 29Maximum penalty for offences relating to offensive weapons Not yet in force
- Power to seize bladed articles Not yet in force
- 31Power to seize bladed articles etc: armed forces Not yet in force
- Sale and delivery of knives etc Not yet in force
- 33Remote sale or letting of knives etc: Scotland Not yet in force
- 35Delivery of knives etc Not yet in force
- Sale and delivery of crossbows Not yet in force
- 36Remote sale and letting of crossbows Not yet in force
- 37Delivery of crossbows Not yet in force
- 38Sale and delivery of crossbows: supplementary provision Not yet in force
- 41Sale and delivery of crossbows: Northern Ireland: supplementary provision Not yet in force
- Duty to report bulk sales of knives etc Not yet in force
- 42Duty to report remote sales of knives etc in bulk: England and Wales and Scotland Not yet in force
- 43Duty to report remote sale of knives etc in bulk: Northern Ireland Not yet in force
- Sound moderators
- 44Application of Firearms Acts to sound moderators etc
- Part 3: Retail crime Not yet in force
- 47Theft from shop triable either way irrespective of value of goods Not yet in force
- Part 4: Criminal exploitation of children and others
- Chapter 1: Child criminal exploitation
- Offence of child criminal exploitation Not yet in force
- 48Child criminal exploitation Not yet in force
- 49Proving an offence under section 48 Not yet in force
- CCE prevention orders: Scotland and Northern Ireland Not yet in force
- 64Child criminal exploitation prevention orders: Scotland and Northern Ireland Not yet in force
- Chapter 2: Cuckooing Not yet in force
- 65Controlling another’s home for criminal purposes Not yet in force
- 66Section 65: interpretation Not yet in force
- 67Power to amend definition of “relevant offence” Not yet in force
- Chapter 4: Supplementary provision
- 69Secretary of State guidance
- Part 5: Sexual offences and offenders
- Chapter 1: Child sexual abuse
- 72Child sexual abuse image-generators: England and Wales Not yet in force
- 74Child sexual abuse image-generators: Scotland Not yet in force
- 75Possession of advice or guidance about creating etc CSA images: England and Wales and Northern Ireland Not yet in force
- 76Possession of advice or guidance about child sexual abuse or CSA images: Scotland Not yet in force
- 77Online facilitation of child sexual exploitation and abuse Not yet in force
- 78Offence under section 77 outside the United Kingdom Not yet in force
- 79Liability for offence under section 77 committed by a body Not yet in force
- 80Section 77: supplementary provision Not yet in force
- 81Sexual offences against children under 16 Not yet in force
- 83Child sex offences: grooming aggravating factor
- 84Power to scan for child sexual abuse images at the border
- Chapter 4: Other provision about sexual offences
- Guidance about disclosure of information
- 97Guidance about disclosure of information by police for purpose of preventing sex offending
- Intimate images etc
- 99Purported intimate image generators
- 100Taking down intimate image content
- 101Taking down intimate image content: consequential amendments
- 103Intimate image material: reporting and registration
- Pornography
- 104Pornographic images of strangulation or suffocation: England and Wales and Northern Ireland
- 105Pornographic images of strangulation or suffocation: Scotland Not yet in force
- 106Pornographic images of sex between relatives
- 107Pornographic images of sexual activity with child under 16
- 108Online pornography (age and consent verification): duty to review and report
- 109Online pornography (age and consent verification): power to amend Online Safety Act 2023
- 110Online pornography (age and consent verification): power to make regulations
- Obscenity etc offences: technology testing defence
- 111Obscenity etc offences: technology testing defence
- 112Technology testing defence: meaning of “relevant offence”
- Other sexual offences
- 114Sexual activity with an animal
- Chapter 5: Management of sex offenders Not yet in force
- 118Notification of name change Not yet in force
- 119Notification of absence from sole or main residence Not yet in force
- 120Child sex offenders: requirement to notify if entering premises where children present Not yet in force
- 121Police stations at which notifications may be given: Scotland and Northern Ireland Not yet in force
- 122Alternative method of notification Not yet in force
- 125Restriction on applying for replacement identity documents in new name Not yet in force
- 127Minor and consequential amendments Not yet in force
- Part 7: Other provision for the protection of persons
- 141Dangerous, careless or inconsiderate cycling Not yet in force
- Part 8: Offences relating to racial and other hostility Not yet in force
- 145Aggravated offences Not yet in force
- Part 9: Prevention of theft and fraud
- Electronic devices for use in vehicle offences Not yet in force
- 149Electronic devices for use in vehicle offences Not yet in force
- 150Section 149: evidential burdens and lifestyle offences Not yet in force
- SIM farms
- 151Possession of a SIM farm
- 152Supply of a SIM farm
- 153Sections 151 and 152: meaning of “SIM farm” etc
- Other devices or software
- 154Possession of specified article
- 155Supply of specified article
- 156Sections 154 and 155: specified articles and supplementary provision
- Part 10: Public order
- Chapter 2: Police powers
- 164Places of worship: restriction on protests
- 165Public processions and assemblies: duty to take account of cumulative disruption
- 166Powers of senior officers to impose conditions on protests
- 167Amendments relating to British Transport Police and Ministry of Defence Police
- 168Return to unauthorised encampments: prohibited period
- Part 11: Powers of police etc
- Power to suspend IP addresses etc Not yet in force
- 170Suspension of internet protocol addresses and internet domain names Not yet in force
- Powers in respect of stolen goods Not yet in force
- 172Electronically tracked stolen goods: search without warrant (armed forces) Not yet in force
- Extraction of online information etc
- 173Extraction of online information following seizure of electronic devices Not yet in force
- 174Section 173: supplementary Not yet in force
- 175Section 173: interpretation Not yet in force
- 176Section 173: confidential information
- 177Section 173: code of practice
- 178Extraction of online information: ports and border security Not yet in force
- 179Extraction of online information following agreement etc Not yet in force
- 180Lawful interception of communications Not yet in force
- Access to driver licensing information
- 181Access to driver licensing information
- Part 12: Proceeds of crime and other property connected with criminal behaviour
- 189Confiscation
- 190Proceedings for civil recovery: costs and expenses
- Part 13: Management of offenders
- Part 14: The police
- Anonymity for authorised firearms officers
- 200Anonymity for authorised firearms officers charged with qualifying offences
- 201Anonymity for authorised firearms officers appealing convictions for qualifying offences
- 202Authorised firearms officers: reporting directions
- 203Authorised firearms officers: anonymity orders
- Appeals to police appeals tribunals
- 204Appeals to police appeals tribunals
- Barred and advisory lists
- 205Law enforcement employers may not employ etc barred persons
- 206Meaning of “law enforcement employer”
- 207Application of section 205 to Secretary of State
- 208Application of section 205 to specified law enforcement employer
- 209Duty of law enforcement employers to check advisory lists
- 210Application of section 209 to specified law enforcement employer
- 211Interpretation of sections 205 to 210
- 212Special police forces: barred persons lists and advisory lists
- Part 15: Terrorism and national security
- Chapter 1: Youth diversion orders
- Power to make orders Not yet in force
- 215Power to make youth diversion orders Not yet in force
- 216Meaning of “serious harm” Not yet in force
- Content of orders
- 217Content of youth diversion orders Not yet in force
- 218Notification requirements Not yet in force
- 219Electronic monitoring of compliance with order: England and Wales
- 220Conditions for imposing electronic monitoring requirement: England and Wales Not yet in force
- 221Data from electronic monitoring in England and Wales: code of practice
- Procedure Not yet in force
- 222Duty to consult Not yet in force
- 223Applications without notice Not yet in force
- 224Interim youth diversion orders Not yet in force
- Variation, discharge and appeals
- 225Variation and discharge of youth diversion orders Not yet in force
- 226Appeal against youth diversion order etc
- Supplementary
- 227Offence of breaching youth diversion order Not yet in force
- 228Guidance
- 229Rules of court about anonymity for respondents
- 230Applications Not yet in force
- 231Reviews of operation of this Chapter Not yet in force
- Chapter 2: Other provisions about terrorism and national security
- 232Prevention of terrorism and state threats: weapons etc
- 233Offence of wearing or displaying articles in support of proscribed organisation
- 234Management of terrorist offenders Not yet in force
- 235Sentences for offence of breaching foreign travel restriction order
- 237Terrorism offences excepted from defence for slavery or trafficking victims
- 238Ports and border security: retention and copying of articles Not yet in force
- 239Prevention and investigation measures: online information Not yet in force
- 240Duty to make statement about proscription regime
- Part 17: Miscellaneous and general
- International law enforcement data-sharing agreements
- 243Implementation of international law enforcement information-sharing agreements
- 244Meaning of “appropriate national authority”
- 245Consultation with devolved authorities about regulations under section 243
- Extradition
- 246Extradition: cases where a person has been convicted
- OFCOM’s notices to providers of internet services
- 247OFCOM’s notices to providers of internet services
- Power to amend Online Safety Act 2023
- 248Power to amend Online Safety Act 2023: AI
- 249Section 248: duty to make progress report
- Criminal liability of bodies and partnerships
- 250Criminal liability of bodies corporate and partnerships where senior manager commits offence
- General
- 251Powers to make consequential amendments etc
- 252Regulations
- 253Regulations made by the Scottish Ministers, the Department of Justice or the Welsh Ministers
- 254Extent
- 255Commencement
- 256Commencement: consultation requirements
- 257Short title
- 24Paragraph 24
- Schedule 5: Sound moderators etc: exemptions
- 1Firearms Act 1968
- 2Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988
- Schedule 7: CCE prevention orders: Scotland Not yet in force
- 1Power to make CCE prevention order Not yet in force
- 2CCE prevention orders Not yet in force
- 3Applications for CCE prevention orders Not yet in force
- 4Interim CCE prevention orders Not yet in force
- 5CCE prevention orders in criminal proceedings: procedural powers Not yet in force
- 6Notification requirements Not yet in force
- 7Variation and discharge of CCE prevention orders made on application Not yet in force
- 8Variation and discharge of CCE prevention orders made in criminal proceedings Not yet in force
- 9Appeals Not yet in force
- 10Offence of breaching CCE prevention order Not yet in force
- 11Offences relating to notifications Not yet in force
- 12Interpretation Not yet in force
- Schedule 9: Control over another’s home for criminal purposes: relevant offences Not yet in force
- Part 1: England and Wales Not yet in force
- 1Paragraph 1 Not yet in force
- 2Paragraph 2 Not yet in force
- 3Paragraph 3 Not yet in force
- 4Paragraph 4 Not yet in force
- 5Paragraph 5 Not yet in force
- 6Paragraph 6 Not yet in force
- 7Paragraph 7 Not yet in force
- 8Paragraph 8 Not yet in force
- 9Paragraph 9 Not yet in force
- 10Paragraph 10 Not yet in force
- 11Paragraph 11 Not yet in force
- 12Paragraph 12 Not yet in force
- 13Paragraph 13 Not yet in force
- 14Paragraph 14 Not yet in force
- 15Paragraph 15 Not yet in force
- 16Paragraph 16 Not yet in force
- 17Paragraph 17 Not yet in force
- 18Paragraph 18 Not yet in force
- Part 2: Scotland Not yet in force
- 19Paragraph 19 Not yet in force
- 20Paragraph 20 Not yet in force
- 21Paragraph 21 Not yet in force
- 22Paragraph 22 Not yet in force
- 23Paragraph 23 Not yet in force
- 24Paragraph 24 Not yet in force
- 25Paragraph 25 Not yet in force
- 26Paragraph 26 Not yet in force
- 27Paragraph 27 Not yet in force
- 28Paragraph 28 Not yet in force
- 29Paragraph 29 Not yet in force
- 30Paragraph 30 Not yet in force
- 31Paragraph 31 Not yet in force
- 32Paragraph 32 Not yet in force
- 33Paragraph 33 Not yet in force
- 34Paragraph 34 Not yet in force
- 35Paragraph 35 Not yet in force
- 36Paragraph 36 Not yet in force
- 37Paragraph 37 Not yet in force
- 38Paragraph 38 Not yet in force
- 39Paragraph 39 Not yet in force
- 40Paragraph 40 Not yet in force
- 41Paragraph 41 Not yet in force
- 42Paragraph 42 Not yet in force
- Part 3: Northern Ireland Not yet in force
- 43Paragraph 43 Not yet in force
- 44Paragraph 44 Not yet in force
- 45Paragraph 45 Not yet in force
- 46Paragraph 46 Not yet in force
- 47Paragraph 47 Not yet in force
- 48Paragraph 48 Not yet in force
- 49Paragraph 49 Not yet in force
- 50Paragraph 50 Not yet in force
- 51Paragraph 51 Not yet in force
- 52Paragraph 52 Not yet in force
- 53Paragraph 53 Not yet in force
- 54Paragraph 54 Not yet in force
- 55Paragraph 55 Not yet in force
- 56Paragraph 56 Not yet in force
- 57Paragraph 57 Not yet in force
- 58Paragraph 58 Not yet in force
- 59Paragraph 59 Not yet in force
- 60Paragraph 60 Not yet in force
- 61Paragraph 61 Not yet in force
- 62Paragraph 62 Not yet in force
- Schedule 10: Online facilitation of child sexual exploitation and abuse: specified offences Not yet in force
- Part 1: England and Wales Not yet in force
- 1Paragraph 1 Not yet in force
- 2Paragraph 2 Not yet in force
- 3Paragraph 3 Not yet in force
- 4Paragraph 4 Not yet in force
- Part 2: Scotland Not yet in force
- 5Paragraph 5 Not yet in force
- 6Paragraph 6 Not yet in force
- 7Paragraph 7 Not yet in force
- 8Paragraph 8 Not yet in force
- 9Paragraph 9 Not yet in force
- 10Paragraph 10 Not yet in force
- 11Paragraph 11 Not yet in force
- Part 3: Northern Ireland Not yet in force
- 12Paragraph 12 Not yet in force
- 13Paragraph 13 Not yet in force
- 14Paragraph 14 Not yet in force
- 15Paragraph 15 Not yet in force
- 16Paragraph 16 Not yet in force
- Schedule 11: Sexual offences against children under 16: consequential amendments Not yet in force
- 1Firearms Act 1968 (c.27) Not yet in force
- 2Internationally Protected Persons Act 1978 (c.17) Not yet in force
- 3Suppression of Terrorism Act 1978 (c.26) Not yet in force
- 7Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 1995 (c. 53) Not yet in force
- 8Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 (c. 43) Not yet in force
- 9Criminal Justice Act 2003 (c. 44) Not yet in force
- Schedule 13: Offences relating to semen-defaced images, intimate photographs or films and voyeurism
- Part 1: Amendments of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 Not yet in force
- 16Paragraph 16 Not yet in force
- Part 2: Further amendments in connection with offences
- 20Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52) Not yet in force
- 24Online Safety Act 2023 (c. 50)
- Schedule 14: Intimate image material: reporting and registration
- Part 1: Trusted flaggers
- 1Duty to designate trusted flagger
- 2Duties to report intimate image content to trusted flagger
- Part 2: The intimate image register
- 3The intimate image register
- 4The registrar
- 5Operation of intimate image register
- 6Payment of fees to registrar
- 7Duties of providers of internet services and internet access services
- 8Enforcement
- 9Payment of fees to enforcement authority
- 10Guidance
- 11Duties of OFCOM
- Part 3: Intimate image register: power to amend Online Safety Act 2023
- 12Paragraph 12
- Part 4: Supplementary provision
- 13Extra-territoriality
- 14Interpretation
- Schedule 15: Management of sex offenders: minor and consequential amendments Not yet in force
- 1Paragraph 1 Not yet in force
- 2Paragraph 2 Not yet in force
- 3Paragraph 3 Not yet in force
- 5Paragraph 5 Not yet in force
- 6Paragraph 6 Not yet in force
- 7Paragraph 7 Not yet in force
- 8Paragraph 8 Not yet in force
- 13Paragraph 13 Not yet in force
- 14Paragraph 14 Not yet in force
- 15Paragraph 15 Not yet in force
- 16Paragraph 16 Not yet in force
- 17Paragraph 17 Not yet in force
- Schedule 16: Possession or supply of SIM farms or other specified articles: powers of entry etc
- Part 1: General
- 1Interpretation
- 2Saving
- Part 2: Powers of entry etc
- 3Power to enter and search vehicles
- 4Power to enter and search vessels or aircraft
- 5Warrant conferring power to enter and search premises
- 6Applications for search warrants
- 7Execution of search warrants
- 8Powers of examination etc
- 9Power to require production of documents etc
- 10Power to use reasonable force
- 11Obstruction etc
- Part 3: Applications for search warrants: England and Wales and Northern Ireland
- 12Introduction
- 13Applications for warrants
- 14Warrant: whether authorises one or multiple entries
- 15Form of warrants
- 16Copies of warrants
- Part 4: Execution of search warrants: England and Wales and Northern Ireland
- 17Introduction
- 18Warrant to be executed within one month
- 19All-premises warrants
- 20Search of premises more than once
- 21Time of search
- 22Evidence of authority etc
- 23Extent of search
- 24Securing premises after entry
- 25Return and retention of warrant
- Schedule 18: Suspension of internet protocol addresses and internet domain names Not yet in force
- 1Applications for IP address suspension orders Not yet in force
- 2Conditions for making an IP address suspension order Not yet in force
- 3Applications for domain name suspension orders Not yet in force
- 4Conditions for making a domain name suspension order Not yet in force
- 5Applications for suspension orders: non-disclosure duty Not yet in force
- 6Inclusion of non-disclosure requirements in suspension orders Not yet in force
- 7Discharge and variation of suspension orders Not yet in force
- 8Extension of suspension orders Not yet in force
- 9Discharge and variation of non-disclosure orders Not yet in force
- 10Applications: further provision Not yet in force
- 11Service of notices and orders Not yet in force
- 12Rules of court Not yet in force
- 13Effect of orders Not yet in force
- 14“Appropriate officer” and “senior officer” Not yet in force
- 15“Judge” Not yet in force
- 16“IP address provider” Not yet in force
- 17“Internet domain registry” and “registrar” Not yet in force
- 18“Internet domain registry” and “registrar” Not yet in force
- 19“Crime”, “serious crime” etc Not yet in force
- 20“UK person” Not yet in force
- 21Further interpretation Not yet in force
- Schedule 19: Amendments to Chapter 3 of Part 2 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 Not yet in force
- 1Paragraph 1 Not yet in force
- 2Paragraph 2 Not yet in force
- 3Paragraph 3 Not yet in force
- 4Paragraph 4 Not yet in force
- 5Paragraph 5 Not yet in force
- 6Paragraph 6 Not yet in force
- 7Paragraph 7 Not yet in force
- 8Paragraph 8 Not yet in force
- 9Paragraph 9 Not yet in force
- 10Paragraph 10 Not yet in force
- Schedule 21: Confiscation orders: England and Wales
- Part 8: Enforcement Not yet in force
- 21Extension to Crown Court of powers under Schedule 5 to Courts Act 2003 to make attachment of earnings orders and applications for benefit deductions Not yet in force
- Part 9: Restraint orders
- 26Exception to restraint orders for reasonable legal expenses
- Part 12: Consequential and related amendments
- 36Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22)
- 38Paragraph 38
- 39Paragraph 39
- 40Paragraph 40
- 41Paragraph 41
- 43Paragraph 43
- 44Paragraph 44
- 47Paragraph 47
- 48Paragraph 48
- 49Paragraph 49
- 50Paragraph 50
- 51Paragraph 51
- 52Paragraph 52
- 53Paragraph 53
- 54Paragraph 54
- Schedule 23: Confiscation orders: Scotland Not yet in force
- 1Cases in which accused has a criminal lifestyle Not yet in force
- 2Compensation directions Not yet in force
- Schedule 25: Special police forces: barred persons lists and advisory lists
- Part 1: Barred persons lists
- 1Duty to maintain barred persons lists
- 2Inclusion of NCA officers and constables in barred persons lists
- 3Inclusion of civilian employees in barred persons lists
- 4Removal of NCA officers and constables from barred persons lists
- 5Removal of civilian employees from barred persons lists
- 6Removal from barred lists: further provision
- 7Publication of information in barred persons lists
- 8Power to disclose information in barred persons list
- Part 2: Advisory lists
- 9Duty to maintain advisory lists
- 10Inclusion of persons in advisory lists
- 11Removal from advisory list
- 12Power to disclose information in advisory list
- Part 3: Supplementary provision
- 13Meaning of “disciplinary proceedings”
- 14Interpretation: general
- 15Regulations
- Schedule 26: Notification orders Not yet in force
- 1Paragraph 1 Not yet in force
- 2Paragraph 2 Not yet in force
- 3Paragraph 3 Not yet in force
- 4Paragraph 4 Not yet in force
- 5Paragraph 5 Not yet in force
- 6Paragraph 6 Not yet in force
- 7Paragraph 7 Not yet in force
- 8Paragraph 8 Not yet in force
- 9Paragraph 9 Not yet in force
- Schedule 27: Sentences for offence of breaching foreign travel restriction order
- 1Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993 (c. 9)
- 2Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (c. 46)
- 4Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 (c. 28)