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Winter of Action: What the Government’s New Crackdown Means for Policing – and for Those Facing Investigation

Increase in Police Funding - how will it be spent

How The Government Pledge To Tackle Localised Crime Is To Be Implemented

The Home Office has launched a major nationwide enforcement initiative, branded the Winter of Action, aimed at tackling shop theft, anti-social behaviour, street crime and violence in town and city centres throughout the busy Christmas period.

Police forces, councils and local businesses are being directed to use increased hotspot patrols, rapid enforcement measures and locally targeted strategies to reduce offending during one of the most active times of the year for retail crime and night-time disorder.

While the campaign is being presented as a public safety measure, anyone who may be drawn into the criminal justice system during these heightened enforcement periods and the solicitors representing them should be aware of the significant legal implications.

A Step Up from Safer Streets Summer

The Winter of Action builds on the government’s summer initiative, which saw:

  • Nearly 16,000 arrests and fines, mostly for shop theft and anti-social behaviour
  • A 20% increase in visible patrols compared with the previous year
  • Reduced public concern about crime and anti-social behaviour

Some forces reported even more substantial reductions.

Here in Greater Manchester saw drops in shop theft (20%), street crime (11%) and serious violence (8%).

In Weymouth, violent crime nearly halved after targeted weekend patrols.

The message from government and policing leaders is clear: this approach will continue and intensify throughout winter.

Focus Areas: Retail Crime, Disorder and the Night-Time Economy

The Winter of Action prioritises:

  • Persistent and prolific retail theft
  • Anti-social behaviour in busy public places
  • Night-time economy offences, particularly male violence against women and girls
  • Knife crime in newly identified hotspot areas known as HEX zones

These HEX zones are roughly the size of ten football pitches and are selected using local intelligence.

Pilots are underway in major cities including Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Peterborough and London.

In practice, this means more stop and search activity, more visible policing and quicker escalation to arrest and charge decisions.

Government Position: Visible Policing and Tough Enforcement

The Home Secretary has described shoplifting and anti-social behaviour as issues that are “tearing at the fabric of our communities”. Key commitments include:

More neighbourhood police officers, new criminal offences such as assaulting a retail worker, ending the effective immunity for shop thefts under £200 and new Respect Orders aimed at tackling persistent anti-social behaviour.

Retail organisations have welcomed the approach, noting that theft, violence and abuse often escalate in the lead-up to Christmas.

Implications for the Public and for Criminal Defence Solicitors

While presented as a safety initiative, the Winter of Action carries significant consequences for suspects and for criminal defence practitioners.

1. Increased Police Presence Equals More Arrests

Higher police visibility routinely leads to more:

Stop and searches, arrests for low-level offences, swift charging decisions and cases progressing to court. Situations that may previously have resulted in warnings or out-of-court disposals could now lead to prosecution.

2. Retail Crime Will Be Treated More Seriously

With political pressure to reduce offending, suspects may face:

A lower likelihood of receiving Community Resolutions, stricter bail conditions and greater emphasis on identifying “prolific” individuals. Early representation is vital to ensure proportionality.

3. More Enforcement in the Night-Time Economy

Alcohol-related disorder increases significantly in December. Expect more arrests for being drunk and disorderly, public order offences and affray, as well as heightened attention on alleged spiking incidents. These often involve complex evidence and credibility issues that require specialist defence expertise.

4. Knife Crime Enforcement Will Intensify

HEX zones will likely result in more stop and search encounters, more weapons-related arrests and quicker charge decisions. Young people in particular may be disproportionately affected.

5. Vulnerable Defendants Risk Being Swept Into the System

Those with mental health difficulties, addiction issues or experiencing homelessness face a higher risk of coming into contact with these enforcement activities. Safeguarding and proper legal representation are essential.

Why Early Legal Advice Matters More Than Ever

With fast-paced enforcement and increased political scrutiny, suspects may feel pressured to engage with police without legal assistance.

This is always risky, particularly when officers are working to deliver rapid results.

Early specialist defence advice can:

  • Challenge weak or incomplete evidence
  • Prevent unsafe admissions
  • Secure alternatives to prosecution where appropriate
  • Ensure decisions are proportionate and legally sound

How We Can Help.

If you are called for interview or under investigation, or facing any theft, public order offences, or other offences coming under increased scrutiny, our experienced team can provide full legal representation. Call us now on 0161 477 1121 or email us.