Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed that the government is accelerating plans to ensure that every police force across England and Wales is equipped with specialist teams dedicated to investigating rape and serious sexual offences. These units are designed to improve the quality of investigations and provide better support for victims of sexual violence.

Originally, the rollout of these specialist teams was slated for completion by the summer of 2029. By moving the deadline to 2027, the government aims to address concerns regarding the handling of sexual assault cases and the current backlog within the criminal justice system. The policy is part of a broader effort to restore public confidence in police investigations of violence against women and girls.

While the announcement focuses on the structural changes within police forces, it remains to be seen how the accelerated timeline will be funded and whether police departments currently facing staffing shortages will be able to meet the new 2027 requirement. The government has framed this as a necessary step to prioritize the investigation of these complex and sensitive crimes, though details on the specific training requirements for these specialist officers have not yet been fully detailed in the initial announcement.