Burnham fast-tracks specialist rape investigation teams to every force by end of 2027, calling Starmer's 2029 deadline 'too slow'

Andy Burnham has brought forward the rollout of specialist rape and sexual offence investigators to all police forces in England and Wales, setting a new deadline of end-2027 — 18 months ahead of the 2029 target Keir Starmer's government had established. The PM called the original schedule "too slow" and promised ministers would be "laser focused on stamping out these vile crimes." A £13.3m fund shared among up to 10 forces will bolster protection orders, covering electronic tagging, exclusion zones and behaviour change programmes. Former Metropolitan Police DCI Mike Neville said he was "quite amazed" that specialist officers were not already in place across all forces.

Domestic abuse protection orders, which carry no maximum duration, are being extended nationwide, sparing victims the burden of repeatedly seeking renewed protection.

Charity Refuge welcomed the move but warned the measures "represent only a small portion of what is needed to ensure all survivors can access timely and effective support."

Burnham's announcement accelerates a policy first unveiled by his predecessor in December 2025 under Labour's violence against women and girls strategy.