Specialist teams for all police forces under violence against women’s strategy

Specialist rape and sex offences investigators will be introduced to every police force as part of reforms to be introduced under the Government’s violence against women and girls (Vawg) strategy.

Teams to deal with such crimes will be set up by 2029 to replace an outdated system to better support victims and crack down on rapists and sex offenders.

The Home Secretary announced the changes ahead of the Vawg strategy launch expected next week.

It comes as ministers have vowed to halve violence against women and girls in the next 10 years but have faced criticism over delays to publishing the plan.

On Tuesday, chairs of the Home Affairs Committee, Justice Committee and Women and Equalities Committee wrote to ministers over concerns from Vawg groups, including the delay is creating “signi