Delays in fitting electronic tags putting victims at risk, report finds
The reports says some criminals are waiting up to five months to be fitted with an electronic tag.
A report by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) has revealed that nearly half of the electronic tags used to monitor offenders' movements in England and Wales are not fitted on time, leaving victims vulnerable to risk. The investigation found that only 55% of GPS and radio frequency tags were installed promptly, while a concerning 60% of alcohol monitoring tags faced delays.
In some instances, individuals waited up to five months for their tags to be fitted, leading to repeated violations of court and prison orders.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) claims it is expanding tagging programs to record levels, investing £100 million in the initiative. As of June 2026, 27,847 people had received tagging orders in England and Wales. However, Martin Jones CBE, HM Chief Inspector of Probation, warns that expanding tagging without addressing its weaknesses could result in overpromising and underdelivering on public protection.
Some of the delays in fitting electronic tags are attributed to offenders not being available for tagging. Victims' Commissioner Claire Waxman OBE stresses the need for victims to be informed immediately if tagging is delayed, as this could create a false sense of security. She also highlights the concern over overstretched probation services handling potential breaches.
The report also reveals that data from the tags is often underutilized, with only 46% of relevant cases leading to significant violations being explored. Inspectors found little evidence that electronic monitoring is consistently used to foster positive behavior changes, focusing instead on punishment, safeguarding, and victim protection.
Despite these challenges, the MoJ emphasizes that public protection remains their top priority. With the additional £100 million investment, the government aims to deliver the largest tagging expansion in British history, accompanied by a 50% increase in tag install rates since 2024. This expansion is part of a broader £700 million investment in probation and community services, including the recruitment of 2,300 trainee officers in the past two years and another 1,300 this year.
The Sentencing Act 2026 aims to reduce prison pressure by managing more offenders in the community, with thousands of prisoners set to be released early starting October. Most of those released will require electronic monitoring.
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