UK Government Moves to Restrict Criminals from Pubs, Sports, and Travel Under New Sentencing Policy
The British government has announced new measures that will significantly expand judicial powers to restrict the activities of convicted offenders, introducing bans that could prevent them from attending pubs, concerts, sporting events, and even travelling abroad.
The policy, unveiled by Justice Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, is part of a wider strategy to toughen community sentencing and reduce reliance on overcrowded prisons.
Under the plan, judges in England and Wales will be empowered to impose broad lifestyle restrictions on offenders who receive community or suspended sentences, as well as those released from custody on licence. Those who defy such restrictions could be swiftly returned to court and face tougher penalties, including imprisonment.
Mahmood explained that the new measures are designed to ensure community sentences carry real weight and demonstrate accountability to victims. She noted that the bans would be carefully tailored to individual cases: violent offenders could be prohibited from pubs and nightlife areas, football-related offenders barred from matches, and persistent shoplifters prevented from entering shopping centres.
The government also intends to expand the use of GPS tracking tags, introduce wider drug testing for prisoners after release, and roll out new “Respect Orders” that give courts powers to stop activities linked to anti-social behaviour. Officials argue that these steps will make punishments visible, credible, and effective, while allowing prison cells to be reserved for the most dangerous criminals.
The initiative is being positioned as a direct response to mounting public concern over rising crime and overcrowded prisons.
By strengthening community sentences, ministers believe offenders will face restrictions that genuinely impact their lives, while victims and communities gain reassurance that justice is being served outside of prison walls.
However, the proposals have sparked debate. Legal and civil rights groups have warned that blanket bans could risk being excessive and may disproportionately affect certain groups.
Others have questioned whether already stretched probation services have the capacity to enforce the restrictions effectively.
Despite these criticisms, ministers remain confident that the reforms will rebuild confidence in the justice system. “A community sentence should not be seen as a soft option,” Mahmood said.
“These new powers will ensure that offenders face real consequences for their actions, that victims see justice being done, and that communities feel protected.”
The Ministry of Justice confirmed that draft legislation will be presented to Parliament in the coming months, outlining the scope and duration of the bans as well as the monitoring process.
Existing measures such as Criminal Behaviour Orders and football banning orders will continue to operate until the new framework is in place.
If approved, the policy would mark one of the most significant changes to sentencing in recent years, reshaping how offenders are punished outside prison and signalling a tougher stance on crime management in the UK.
