The British government has announced a set of important reforms to improve the judicial system’s response to rape cases, as well as to strengthen the protection of victims. The measures include the creation of a new national Independent Legal Advisor (ILA) service for victims of rape and the expansion of the principles of Operation Soteria in the courtrooms. These initiatives are part of a broader plan to make the criminal justice system fairer, faster, and more victim-centred, as well as to combat violence against women and girls.

One of the main innovations is the launch of a national Independent Legal Advisor (ILA) service, which will provide specialised legal support to victims of rape throughout the criminal process. This service, which will be launched at the end of the year, will initially have a funding of six million pounds over two years. The objective is to ensure that victims have access to independent legal advice during the most complex phases of investigations and trials.

Independent legal advisors will help victims understand their rights within the judicial system and assist them when authorities request sensitive personal information. This includes, for example, medical records, notes from psychological counselling, or data from mobile phones. In many cases, these requests can be invasive or disproportionate, and legal advisors may challenge them when they are not strictly necessary for the investigation. This measure aims to reduce the feeling, often reported by victims, that the criminal justice system examines their private life more than the behaviour of the alleged aggressor.

In parallel, the government will expand the principles of Operation Soteria in the judicial phase of rape cases. This initiative, launched in 2021, had already changed the way police and prosecutors investigate these crimes. Its approach focuses on analysing the behaviour and patterns of the suspect, rather than placing the main emphasis on the victim. This implies prioritising evidence related to the suspect and limiting access to the victim’s personal records only in cases where they have clear evidentiary value.

With the new expansion, the government wants to ensure that the same approach is maintained when cases reach the courts. That is why an academic expert has been tasked with examining whether, during the trials, judicial practices continue to subject victims to excessive scrutiny. The objective of this pilot study is to identify possible improvements in the training of judges and prosecutors, as well as in the guidelines and best judicial practices to ensure that trials focus primarily on the actions of the suspect.

According to the British government, these reforms are also part of a broader effort to modernise the judicial system and reduce delays in the resolution of cases. Recent published data indicates that, even with investments and efficiency improvements, the backlog of cases in the Crown Court could reach 133,000 cases by 2035. However, the package of structural reforms proposed by the government could reduce this figure to approximately 49,000 cases in the same period, preventing thousands of victims from having to wait years to obtain justice.

Among the reforms included in the court bill is the creation of new «Swift Courts” designed to handle cases with predictable sentences of up to three years, which would be judged only by a judge. It has also been proposed to increase the sentencing powers of magistrates to 18 months in prison, with the aim of freeing up resources from the Crown Court so that it can focus on more serious offences. Despite these reforms, jury trials will remain for the most serious crimes, including rape, murder, or serious bodily harm.

Finally, the government has emphasised that these measures are part of a broader strategy to halve violence against women and girls over the next decade. In this context, more than one billion pounds of investment have been announced, including 550 million allocated for victim support services and nearly 500 million for safe housing for people fleeing abuse.

Together, these reforms aim to transform the way the criminal justice system handles cases of rape. The main objective is to ensure that victims receive adequate support, that judicial processes are less traumatic, and that the focus of investigations and trials is primarily on the behaviour of the alleged aggressors. This guidance aims to strengthen victims’ confidence in the judicial system and improve their ability to obtain justice.

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A significant drop in knife crime in England and Wales marks a turning point in the fight against this type of crime. The latest data shows a 10% reduction in the most affected areas, thanks to an aggressive government plan and new prevention measures.

Knife robberies – one of the forms of crime that generates the most public alarm – have begun to decline across England and Wales. This reduction comes after the implementation of the Plan for Change, a strategy of the British government with the ambitious goal of halving knife crimes in ten years.

A specialised working group, formed in October 2024, has been key to reversing the upward trend observed between July 2023 and June 2024. This group includes seven police forces from the most affected areas, such as the Metropolitan Police, West Midlands , and Greater Manchester.

Between June 2024 and August 2025, there has been a notable decrease in knife-related robberies:

• West Midlands: -30% (771 fewer cases)
• British Transport Police: -26% (107 fewer crimes)
• Avon and Somerset: -14%
• South Yorkshire: -8%
• West Yorkshire: -7%
• Metropolitan Police: -5% (484 fewer cases)
• Greater Manchester: -3%

Law enforcement agencies have implemented strategies such as patrols in hot spots, the use of drones, plain clothes officers, and knife detection arches.  Police intelligence has also been improved to identify potential offenders before they act.

Likewise, the Ministry of Interior introduced a series of legislative measures. They highlight the prohibition of ‘ninja’ swords (through Ronan’s Law, following the case of Ronan Kanda, a young man murdered with such a weapon) and the obligation to verify age in the online sale of knives.

With an initial budget of £2 million, the government has launched Young Futures Hubs, support centres for at-risk youth. In 2025, 8 centres will be put into operation in high-risk areas, aiming to reach 50 in the next four years.

Patrick Green, director of the Ben Kinsella Trust, believes that suppressing knife crime is not just about reducing offences, but about breaking the notion that carrying a weapon is necessary for self-protection.

The Minister of Crime, and also a police officer, Sarah Jones, has emphasised the importance of maintaining pressure. She believes that there is still much to be done, but a sustained decline is beginning to be seen for the first time in four years.

The road is long, but the initial figures indicate that change is possible with coordinated action, investment in youth, and zero tolerance for weapons.

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Communities affected by repeat offenders will see their protection strengthened with the expansion of a new model of specialised courts designed to reduce less serious crime and nip recidivism in the bud.

These Intensive Supervision Courts, inspired by problem-solving courts in the United States, especially in Texas, combine strict judicial follow-up with personalised support for offenders suffering from problems such as addiction or trauma.

Offenders who commit crimes such as theft while struggling with personal problems will have to attend treatment, appear regularly before a judge and comply with strict conditions. If they fail to do so, they may end up in prison.

This model, which is part of the British government’s «Blueprint for Change» seeks to transform the response to petty crime by freeing up the prison system and focusing on real rehabilitation.

Drug and alcohol addiction fuels much of the crime that occurs. Crime will not be reduced until repeat offenders actually face up to their behaviour, according to Lord Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending.

Promising results

The first four pilot programs in Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool and Teesside have supervised more than 200 offenders. According to a recent assessment:

• 2 out of 3 drug tests were negative.
• Only 23% of the participants were sanctioned for misbehaviour.
• Substance use decreased.
• More participants with mental health problems accessed appropriate treatment.

These data point to a significant reduction in recidivism, as has already been observed in other countries using similar models, with a drop in criminal re-entries of up to 33%.

The expansion of these courts follows a record £700 million investment in the Probation Service, a 45% increase in the budget, and responds to the recommendations of the Independent Sentencing Review, led by former Justice Minister David Gauke.

During a visit to Texas, Gauke and the current Lord Chancellor saw first-hand how the expansion of problem-solving courts had reduced drug offences by 25% and decreased the prison population.

A view from the social sector

Pavan Dhaliwal, director of the NGO Revolving Doors, which works to break the cycle of crime, welcomed the expansion. These courts offer a real opportunity to address the unmet health and social needs that trap people in recidivism.

With this new approach, the United Kingdom is committed to a penal system that not only punishes, but also holds accountable, rehabilitates and sets things right. The expansion of Intensive Supervision Courts is part of a broader strategy to make the streets safer, reduce the burden on prisons and give a real second chance to those who want to change.

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The Council has adopted conclusions on the future of cybersecurity with the aim of providing guidance and setting out principles for building a more cybersecure and resilient EU.

In recent years, cybersecurity threats have increased significantly in level, complexity and scale. This has occurred alongside a significant increase in global geopolitical tensions.

Cybersecurity operates at multiple levels, persevering above all in the security of businesses, governments and citizens. Everyone deserves a secure internet and the peace of mind that comes from using it. Everyone deserves to feel safe, both online and offline. For the EU institutions, it is necessary to build a robust and resilient digital world through proactive measures and international cooperation.

The Council set out the principles to be developed in the coming months to build a more cybersecure and resilient Union. Focusing on implementation, adoption of harmonised standards, certification, supply chain security, cooperation with the private sector, support for SMEs and adequate financing should be among the top priorities for the future.

The Council conclusions recall the importance of focusing on implementation, strengthening coordination and collaboration, and avoiding fragmentation of cybersecurity standards in sectoral legislation. They also call for further clarifying roles and responsibilities in the cyber domain, strengthening cooperation in the fight against cybercrime, and working on a revised cyber crisis management framework plan. It also emphasises support for small- and medium-sized enterprises and the need to respond to the challenges posed by new technologies.

A multi-stakeholder approach, including cooperation with the private sector and academia, is being promoted by European institutions to close the skills gap. Underlining the importance of attracting private capital, the Council’s conclusions stress the need for adequate financing.

The external dimension is also highlighted, recalling that an active international policy would be necessary to strengthen cooperation with third countries, especially in the transatlantic context, as a contribution to a strong international ecosystem. In view of the changing and increasing threat level, the Council finally invites the European Commission and the High Representative to present a cybersecurity strategy.

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The Belgian presidency of the Council and the negotiators of the European Parliament have reached an agreement on an EU regulatory proposal related to the transfer of proceedings in criminal matters.

The law establishes regulations governing the conditions under which criminal proceedings initiated in one Member State may be transferred to another Member State. This will be essential to ensure that the best-placed country investigates or prosecutes a criminal offence and to avoid unnecessary parallel proceedings (of the same suspect) in different EU member states. The law will therefore help to combat cross-border crime more effectively.

An effective fight against crime also means that EU countries cooperate to ensure that criminal investigation takes place in the country best placed to serve justice.

The rules on which the Council and the European Parliament agreed should also improve respect for the fundamental rights of the suspect or investigated person in the process of transferring criminal proceedings from one country to another.

In addition, the regulation should help prevent impunity in cases where a person is refused to be surrendered to another member state on the basis of a European Arrest Warrant. The transfer of procedural rules (in the country where the accused is located) would ensure that the person would still face justice.

Thus, in the future, the authorities of a country will decide to request the transfer of proceedings (to another member state) on the basis of a list of common criteria. These criteria include:

• The offence has been committed in the territory of the Member State to which the proceedings are to be transferred or most of the effects of the offence, or a substantial part of the damage has occurred in that Member State.
• One or more suspects or investigated persons are nationals or residents of that member state.
• One or more suspects or investigated persons are present in the Member State to which the proceedings are to be transferred.
• Most of the evidence relevant to the investigation or most of the relevant witnesses are located or reside in that Member State.
• There is an ongoing criminal proceeding for the same fact or other facts against the suspect or investigated person in the Member State that will be responsible for the proceeding.

The regulations also include obligations regarding the rights of suspects and defendants, as well as victims, when deciding on the transfer.

Suspects, persons under investigation and victims shall have the right to an effective legal remedy against a country’s decision to accept the transfer of criminal proceedings. They may exercise this right in the country to which the criminal proceedings are transferred.

There shall be a time limit for filing a legal remedy, not exceeding 15 days from the date of receipt of the resolution accepting the transfer of the criminal proceedings. The final decision on the legal remedy shall be made without undue delay and, if possible, within 60 days.

With the expansion of cross-border crime, criminal justice in the EU has been increasingly confronted with situations where several Member States have jurisdiction to prosecute the same case. This is especially true with regard to crimes committed by organised criminal groups. Therefore, the rules on the transfer of criminal proceedings will help to clarify which member state would be best placed to conduct criminal proceedings.

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The European Council adopted conclusions on improving support and recognition for victims of terrorism. The conclusions emphasise that the fight against terrorism must be approached not only from the perspective of security, but also with a focus on the people directly affected by terrorist acts.

In order to make progress with support, assistance, and protection for victims of terrorism, the conclusions encourage the rapid adoption of the specific revision of the directive on victims’ rights – currently on the Council table – and the adoption of measures to ensure recognition and respect for victims of terrorism, such as the promotion of training for professionals dealing with them.

The conclusions highlight that remembering the victims of terrorism is fundamental for their recovery process, to promote social cohesion and for the defence of democratic values. They also point out that victims must play a major role in remembrance policies, due to the fact that their testimonies are a powerful tool to make people aware of the human consequences of terrorism and to prevent radicalisation.

Member States are thus invited to promote policies in the area of victims of terrorism so that their physical and psychological suffering is not forgotten and that these policies can also be used as a tool to prevent violent radicalisation.

In 2018, the Council called on Member States to establish a national contact point that would be responsible for the provision of information to victims of terrorism. The fact that these contact points are organised in an EU-wide network enables the exercise of victims’ cross-border rights.

The conclusions recall that being prepared in the event of a terrorist attack should also extend to anticipating victim support, in particular by designating a single point of contact for victims of terrorism.

In the EU, a directive on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime ensures that people who have been victims of crime are recognised and treated with respect. The law states that they must receive adequate protection, support and access to justice. It also obliges the countries of the Union to ensure adequate training on the needs of victims for officials who may come into contact with them.

On 12 July 2023, the European Commission proposed to amend its directive on victims’ rights. This update is now being discussed in the Council and the European Parliament.

For victims of certain crimes, such as terrorism, the EU has established additional measures to respond more directly to their specific needs. The anti-terrorism directive offers victims of terrorism additional rights of support, protection and assistance that respond to their needs.

In order to provide expertise, guidance and support to national authorities and victim support organisations, the Commission has also established an EU centre of expertise for victims of terrorism. It helps to guarantee that national structures provide professional assistance and support to victims of terrorism for all EU countries.

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In October, the European Council approved the European Union’s Maritime Security Strategy and Action Plan to address security challenges at sea.

The aim of these improvements is to ensure that the EU has a variety of effective tools to address evolving security threats and new challenges, such as the increasing strategic competition for power and resources in the Union’s sea basins and beyond, environmental degradation, and hybrid and cyber-attacks against maritime infrastructures.

The Strategy provides a framework for the EU to adopt new measures to defend its interests at sea and protect its citizens, its values and its economy. The list of the six strategic objectives that have been translated into more than 150 concrete actions in the Action Plan is as follows:

• Intensify activities at sea. The EU plans to organize annual maritime security exercises, carried out by coastguards and armed forces of the Member States.

One of the key actions is to intensify the fight against illegal and illicit activities at sea, such as piracy and armed robbery; organised crime, including smuggling of migrants; and irregular, unreported and unregulated fishing. It is also intended to strengthen safety inspections in the Union’s seaports.

• Cooperate with partners. It is planned to intensify partnerships with like-minded countries and with regional and international organisations, promoting dialogue and best practices and defending the maritime order.
• Take the lead in maritime downtime awareness. This includes improving the collection and exchange of information.
• Manage risks and threats. Improve the collective resilience and preparedness of the EU in order to protect critical maritime infrastructures such as pipelines, submarine cables, ports, gas terminals, etc.
• Improve capabilities. Develop common techniques for surface and underwater defence technologies, as well as create interoperable unmanned systems to monitor critical maritime infrastructures.
• Educate and train. Another aim of the Strategy is to achieve a high level of specialised education, skills and training, which is essential for the EU to deal with present and future maritime security challenges.

Some of the key actions in this area are centred around the skills required to deal with hybrid and cyber threats and the implementation of specific training programs open to non-EU partners.

The implementation of the Strategy will be assessed in three years, in a joint progress report to be prepared by the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

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Adapted tactical equipment. Mentoring programmes. Police stations staffed only by women. For decades, police agencies have innovated and evolved to ensure that their police forces keep up with the needs of communities.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Interpol, the organisation’s Directorate of Capacity Building and Training has published a compendium entitled Policing with a Gender Perspective: Law enforcement initiatives from around the world, which includes global initiatives aimed at achieving gender inclusivity.

Thanks to contributions from nearly 50 countries, regional organisations and the Interpol General Secretariat, the compendium analyses how police forces are performing today:

– working to increase the number of women in all areas of policing,

– creating institutional mechanisms for reform,

– mentoring and supporting future generations of police leaders,

– taking into account the gender dynamics of crime.

The initiatives in the compendium are a true reflection of the countries that make up Interpol and demonstrate the wide range of efforts being made to bring about lasting institutional change. From specific training courses to inclusion in rapid response teams, awareness campaigns and programmes against gender-based violence, countries have proven that there is no single solution to achieving representation.

The shift towards greater representation and equality is an ongoing task, and Interpol is determined to achieve this goal, both within the organisation and in its 195 member countries. Men now occupy the majority of senior positions in police agencies, making them unquestionably key agents of change. With this in mind, the compendium puts emphasis on the idea that men can also contribute to making gender equality the new normal.

Police officers play a crucial role in society. They are responsible for maintaining law and order, deterring and investigating crime, and protecting individuals and communities. The police are dynamic and must constantly adapt to a changing criminal landscape, emerging technologies and social changes in order to carry out the tasks entrusted to them effectively.  

Gender diversity is a prerequisite for ensuring this adaptability. Only with this diversity will it be possible to make the strategic decisions necessary to protect and serve all communities.

A diverse police service has a deeper understanding of the needs of their community and can build stronger relationships, thus facilitating more effective policing.

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With cyberspace as a field of strategic competition, the risks to the security and defence of the European Union are increasing at a time of rising geopolitical tensions and heavy reliance on digital technologies.

In this vein, the European Council has approved conclusions on cyber defence that underline the need for the Union and its member states to further strengthen their resilience in dealing with cyber threats and enhance common cybersecurity and cyber defence against malicious behaviour and acts of aggression in cyberspace.

The conclusions welcome the Joint Communication of the European Commission and the High Representative on EU policy on cyber defence and underline the importance of investing substantially, both individually and collaboratively, in improved resilience and the deployment of defensive cyber defence capabilities. EU cooperation frameworks and financial incentives can play a key role in this sense.

In accordance with the strategic compass, the conclusions invite member states and other relevant actors to act together for a more robust cyber defence, by boosting cooperation and coordination within the EU, between the military and civilian cyber communities and between the public sector and a trusted private ecosystem. The Council welcomes the proposal for an EU cyber defence coordination centre to improve the coordination and situational awareness, in particular, of EU mission and operational commanders and to strengthen the Union’s wider command and control architecture.

The Council encourages Member States to protect the Union’s defence ecosystem by further enhancing their own capabilities to carry out cyber defence operations, including, when applicable, proactive defensive measures to protect, detect, defend against and deter cyber attacks. The EU and its member states should minimise their strategic dependencies through capabilities and supply chains, on top of developing and mastering cutting-edge cyber defence technologies. This includes strengthening the European defence technological and industrial base.

Moreover, the European Council urges Member States to invest in interoperable cyber defence capabilities, including by developing a set of voluntary commitments for the development of national cyber defence capabilities, and by making the best use of collaborative research opportunities at the Union level. The Council also acknowledges the direct benefit of collaborative projects at the EU level to promote the development of national cyber defence capabilities.

In addition, the Council welcomes member states to address the significant cybersecurity skills gap, leveraging synergies between military, civilian and law enforcement initiatives.

Finally, the Council stresses the key importance of partnership in addressing common challenges. It requests the High Representative and the Commission to explore mutually beneficial and tailored partnerships on cyber defence policies, including building cyber defence capabilities through the European Peace Facility (EPF). To this end, cyber defence should be added as an item to EU dialogues and consultations on cyber defence and to the general security and defence consultations with partners.

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The European Council adopted a regulation on the European Union’s secure connectivity programme for the period 2023-2027. This is the last step in the decision-making process.

The programme sets targets for the European Union to deploy an EU satellite constellation called IRIS (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite). IRIS will provide ultra-fast and highly secure communication services by 2027. The security of these communications will be based on advanced encryption technologies. This includes quantum cryptography, a method that uses the properties of quantum mechanics to secure and transmit data in a way that cannot be hacked.

This space-based communication system will benefit Governments for services such as critical infrastructure protection, surveillance, external action support or crisis management, which will help improve EU resilience and sovereignty.

The programme contributes to the EU’s digital transition and global gateway strategy, as it can provide secure connectivity in geographic areas of strategic interest beyond European borders, such as the Arctic region or Africa.

Having a satellite-based communications system can also guarantee fast and secure communication services, even when terrestrial communication networks have been disrupted, for example, by natural disasters, terrorism or cyber-attacks.

The system includes new infrastructure to be built through the awarding of contracts. Concessionaires should also provide the resources for commercial services, thus ensuring that technological advances and their use by governments are one of the drivers of innovation and wider commercialisation in the Union.

The programme strengthens the competitiveness of EU satellite communications services through an innovative project led by the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) and involving a number of partners, such as member states, the European Space Agency (ESA) and private companies.

On 15 February 2022, the Commission presented the proposed regulations establishing the programme. Following interinstitutional negotiations, the European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional political agreement on November 17, 2022.

This programme is especially important for low orbits. Today, low orbits are increasingly occupied by mega-constellations from third countries, and EU operators face challenges due to the capital-intensive nature of these projects.

This new project will promote synergies with the other components of the EU space programme, such as Galileo (satellite navigation) and Copernicus (Earth observation), and with space situational awareness capabilities. It is based on the European Union’s government satellite communications (GOVSATCOM), which is also a component of the EU space programme.

The programme has a budget of €2.4 billion, part of which comes from different envelopes, such as the EU space programme, Horizon Europe and the Neighbourhood Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI).

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