On 8 August 2025 the Ministry of Justice announced plans under which ‘New restriction zones will curb the freedoms of the most serious sexual and violent offenders by ‘locking’ them into specific areas where necessary’.
Within the Press Release it was stated:
“Under plans outlined today (Friday 8 August), offenders will be pinned down to certain areas with tough monitoring supported by proven technology – with the possibility of time behind bars for those who breach restrictions.
This will provide an additional tool to protect victims from the most serious offenders. Whilst existing “exclusion zones” are a valuable tool to stop offenders from entering a location where their victim lives, new “restriction zones” go further and instead limit the movement of offenders, who are confined to an agreed area, allowing victims to travel anywhere else without fear of meeting their offender.
Probation Officers will conduct a detailed risk assessment and work hand-in-hand with victims on the creation of restriction zones, making sure zones prevent contact while giving survivors the maximum freedom to rebuild their lives.
Announcing the change after visiting charity Advance, which supports women and girls who have experienced trauma from domestic abuse to rebuild their lives in their communities, Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Alex Davies-Jones said:
“Through our Plan for Change, we’re putting victims first.
This move will strengthen safeguards for victims. I’ve heard firsthand how this innovative approach will give them the peace of mind they deserve and rebuild their lives without fear.
Wider reforms throughout the probation system will also see tens of thousands more offenders tagged – backed by a huge boost in funding of up to £700 million by 2028/29.
In addition, at least 1,300 new trainee probation officers will be brought in next year to increase capacity and new technology will lighten the administrative burden and free up time for workers to effectively supervise the most dangerous offenders and keep the public safe”.”
In response the Victims’ Commissioner, Baroness Newlove, said:
“Victims have a right to feel safe – to live their lives without fear of running into the offender who caused them harm. At present, we have exclusion zones which place more limits on the freedom of the victim than the offender. This cannot be right.
I’m encouraged by plans to introduce restriction zones for offenders – a welcome shift in focus that I’ve long been calling for, curbing the freedoms of the offender, not the victim.
This is an opportunity to make sure the needs of victims are first and foremost.
The proposed measures are said to apply to serious violent and sexual offenders. While existing court-imposed orders and licence conditions can already include geographic restrictions, the new powers are expected to provide clearer, stronger protections and help reduce the burden on victims to change their routines or relocate to avoid contact with the perpetrator…”
Gemma Sherrington, CEO of Refuge, said:
“Refuge welcomes the Ministry of Justice’s introduction of new ‘restriction zones’ which, for the first time, will restrict a perpetrator to a specific area, rather than prohibit them from entering locations near where a survivor lives, works or visits. This is a long-overdue step in the right direction.
Survivors of domestic abuse should never be the ones forced to uproot their lives to stay safe. This policy rightly shifts responsibility onto those who cause harm and gives survivors greater freedom to rebuild their lives free from fear. It is vital that any restrictions are defined with input from the survivor, to ensure they do not interfere with her daily life, safety or wellbeing.
However, the success of this change will depend entirely on robust implementation. Restriction zones must be enforced consistently, and survivors must be properly supported throughout.
This is progress, but it must be backed by sustained investment and action to build a truly survivor-led justice system.”
And also Isabelle Younane, head of external affairs at Women’s Aid, commented:
“Perpetrators of domestic abuse must be held to account for their abominable crimes, and the recent announcement by the Ministry of Justice is a positive step in the right direction. However, yet again we are seeing a significant focus on tackling the small minority of VAWG perpetrators who hold a criminal conviction. In the upcoming VAWG strategy, we need to see commitments across Government departments – not just Home Office and MoJ – that reflect the needs of both adult and child survivors. We need to see a parallel level of commitment to – and investment in – the specialist services across the country who are keeping women and children safe everyday, often on a shoestring budget. And we need to see new measures that focus preventing domestic abuse from happening in the first place, including through healthy relationship education in schools and other youth settings, to build a society where violence against women and girls is no longer tolerated.”
For the full Ministry of Justice Press Release see here
For the full response of the Victims Commissioner see here
For the full Refuge Press Release see here
For the full Women’s Aid response see here
Original reporting by Family Law Week