UK porn offences covering strangulation and incest due to begin on 6 November

Pornography depicting strangulation or suffocation, and certain images of sexual activity between relatives, is due to become illegal to possess or publish in the UK from 6 November, the government says. The new offences are part of the Crime and Policing Act 2026, but apply only to images meeting detailed tests set out in the law. [1] [2] [3]

The government says the offences will also cover possession of pornographic images that portray sexual activity involving someone who appears to be, or is pretending to be, under 16. Unlike the strangulation and relatives offences, the under-16 offence covers possession, not publication. [1] [2]

The law specifies that images must portray the activity explicitly and realistically, and that a reasonable person would think those depicted were real. For the relatives offence, it covers penetrative sex between people who appear to be related or are pretending to be related. Certain step- and foster-family relationships are included where someone is portrayed as under 18. [1] [2]

The government factsheet says platforms will have to take proactive, proportionate steps to prevent the material appearing online, as the new offences are to be listed as priority offences under the Online Safety Act. The Act also requires the government to report to Parliament within 12 months on internet services’ role in checking the age and consent of people appearing in pornography. [1] [2]

The BBC reports that the 6 November start date was announced by the government. The Act’s relevant provisions are marked as not yet in force in the legislation’s 29 September version.