The United Kingdom has introduced a new criminal offence targeting parents and other individuals who unlawfully retain children abroad without the required consent, with offenders facing up to seven years in prison.
The new law, which came into force on Friday, November 6, 2026, under Section 137 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026, amends the Child Abduction Act 1984 to address a longstanding gap in child abduction legislation.
The provision makes it an offence for a person connected with a child under the age of 16 to detain the child outside the UK without the appropriate consent, even where the child was initially taken abroad legally.
The amendment is designed to address situations where a parent or guardian gives permission for a child to travel overseas but the child is subsequently retained beyond the authorised period without consent.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed the commencement of the new offence in a circular published on November 6, outlining the changes introduced under the Crime and Policing Act 2026.
The legislation marks a significant development in the UK’s efforts to strengthen protections against international parental child abduction.
The new offence applies to England and Wales and is subject to the statutory conditions and defences contained in the amended legislation.