Tough new domestic abuse regulation that gives increased protection to victims are being trialled in Croydon.

The borough, which currently has the highest number of domestic abuse offences in London is has been chosen for the pilot alongside neighbouring Bromley and Sutton boroughs, together with the Greater Manchester region.

The Government says the new regulations provide “flexible and long-term protection” for victims and include enforced exclusion zones, orders for attending behaviour change programmes, and allowing a victims’ family and friends to apply for an order on their behalf.

Alex Davies-Jones, the Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls Minister, said these orders will “reduce pressure on victims”. She added: “It takes tremendous courage for victims of domestic abuse to seek help. Our role in government is to make this as straightforward as possible.”

2.3 million people aged 16 and over are estimated to be victims of domestic abuse in the year leading up to March 2024, according to the Crime Survey for England and Wales. 

Croydon had the highest number of domestic abuse offences in London between October 2022 and October 2024, 9,911 according to Met Police data.

Croydon Council is currently implementing ‘16 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence’, which includes training school staff to learn how to sport and report abuse, as part of their wider Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Delivery Plan 2024-2027.

Jason Perry, Mayor of Croydon said: “In Croydon, we want all our residents to feel safe, so we are working to create a safer community. We also believe that every woman and girl should be able to live freely from violence and fear. This is why we want everyone to get involved in this great campaign.”

The new orders cover all forms of domestic abuse and unlike some that last 28 days, will have no time-restrictions. Violating the requirements of an order will constitute a criminal offence carrying a penalty of up to five years in prison.

In more serious cases, family courts will be able to enforce tagging, which could have only been done by criminal courts or police prior to these new regulations. 

Jess Phillips, Domestic Violence and Safeguarding Minister said: “More than two million people are estimated to have experienced domestic abuse in the last year, a number that is appalling, frightening and we are determined to change.

“That’s why one of our first acts against our ambitious manifesto pledge to halve violence against women and girls in a decade is to launch new, strengthened domestic abuse protection orders.

“By bringing together the strongest elements of existing orders into a flexible order that covers all forms of domestic abuse and has no time limit, we’ll ensure more victims receive the robust protection they deserve.”