- GPS tags cut reoffending rates of criminals by 20%, new
report shows
- Tech tracks movements of offenders which is mapped to
unsolved crime
- New statistics show record high of 20,000 on tags as part of
Plan for Change
Reoffending by burglars, robbers and thieves has been cut by 20
percent thanks to the tracking of their movements with tags, a
new report published today (August 28) has found.
The study shows those forced to wear a GPS tag on release from
prison were significantly more like to stay on the straight and
narrow, meaning less crime, fewer victims and safer streets.
As part of the scheme, the movements of these offenders are
monitored and mapped against the locations of recent unsolved
burglaries, robberies or thefts.
Any matches are shared with the police to help them investigate
the crime and potential suspects, meaning the tag serves as a
powerful deterrent to reoffending.
By harnessing innovative tech, this project is helping to protect
communities and support smarter policing, part of the
Government's Plan for Change to make our streets safer.
Eliminating suspects early on through GPS tagging has also freed
up police to focus on other suspects and investigate more crimes,
with the evidence suggesting that the pilot helped police to
avoid carrying out roughly 16,000 unnecessary adult arrests over
three years.
The findings come as the latest figures showed that almost 20,000
offenders and defendants were wearing an electronic tag as of
June 2025, a record high.
Tagging will be ramped up even further as part of the
Government's sentencing reforms with the annual probation budget
increased by up to £700 million by 2028, to tag thousands more
offenders.
Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing
Reoffending, , said:
“The evidence is clear that tagging works, acting as a constant
reminder to thieves and burglars that we are watching their every
move and will know if they reoffend.
“We are increasing the use of tagging as part of our Plan for
Change to toughen punishment, prevent crime and make our streets
safer.”
The pilot deliberately targets “acquisitive” crimes such as
burglary, theft and robbery, which are offence types which have
among the worst charge and conviction rates.
Evidence suggests the pilot acted as an effective deterrent, with
just 160 out of 3,360 offenders convicted due to their movements
being mapped to unsolved crimes.
The technology also allows probation staff to keep a much closer
eye on the whereabouts of offenders under their supervision so
they are better able to prevent them from falling back into a
life of crime.
Last week it was revealed that the number of probation officers
has increased by seven per cent in the last 12 months, with
trainee officer numbers also seeing a surge of 15 per cent.
This follows a pledge by the Lord Chancellor to recruit an
additional 1,300 Probation Officers by March 2026 as part of a
major boost of support for the Probation Service.
Alan, an offender who is currently on a GPS tag,
said:
“The second that tag went on my ankle I had that feeling that
someone was watching me every second of the day.
“It let me get on with my life knowing if I fell back into my old
habits I could be back in a jail cell.”
Evidence is increasingly proving the effectiveness of tags as a
robust way to closely monitor offenders in the community,
therefore cutting crime and protecting victims.
A report in March 2025 found that offenders on curfew tags, which
keep offenders at home and off the streets during certain times,
were also 20% less likely to commit another crime.
Meanwhile statistics show offenders wearing alcohol tags, which
monitor whether or not they are drinking, stay sober for 97% of
the days they are tagged.
The Government is also exploring broader uses of technology in
the justice system to monitor offenders and reduce reoffending.
Under the Ministry of Justice's AI Action Plan, artificial
intelligence will be used to assess offender risk and place
dangerous individuals under tighter supervision—cutting crime and
delivering swifter justice for victims.
This follows the Government's response to the Independent
Sentencing Review, which recommended greater use of technology
and community sentencing to address the inherited crisis in the
prison system.
Notes to editors:
- The Impact Evaluation of the Acquisitive Crime Electronic
Monitoring Project: 12 Month+ Cohort found male prison leavers
enrolled in the project were associated with a seven percentage
point decline in the rate of reoffending within 12 months of
release (from 33.2% to 26.2%). Read more here.
- The Acquisitive Crime pilot began in 2021 and is currently
available in 19 of 43 police force areas, namely; Avon &
Somerset, Cheshire, Gloucestershire, Gwent, Humberside, West
Midlands, Bedfordshire, City of London, Cumbria, Derbyshire,
Durham, Essex, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Metropolitan
Police, North Wales, Nottinghamshire and Sussex.
- As of 02 June 2025, the total number of offenders and
defendants fitted with an electronic monitoring device was
19,983. Read more here.
