The government has opened a call for evidence on whether to make it illegal to possess radiofrequency jammers in the UK, citing rising criminal misuse and risks to critical services. The exercise, launched by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) on 10 April 2026, will inform potential legislation on possession alongside existing prohibitions on use. (gov.uk)
DSIT is seeking input from the public and industry, including mobile network operators, law enforcement, and transport and infrastructure specialists, on harms, enforcement challenges and whether changes to the legal framework-potentially including a possession offence-are required. The call for evidence closes at 11:59pm on 8 May 2026. (gov.uk)
Baroness Lloyd of Effra CBE, the Telecoms Minister, said the government is stepping up efforts to curb illegal use of jammers and wants evidence-led proposals that protect homes, businesses and public services. Officials frame the exercise as an opportunity to shape proportionate, workable measures before drafting any legislative changes. (gov.uk)
Under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006, it is a criminal offence to install or use wireless telegraphy apparatus without a licence (section 8) and to deliberately interfere with wireless telegraphy (section 68). Ministers note that proving a person has actively used a jammer can be operationally difficult-hence exploring a targeted possession offence to close enforcement gaps. (publications.parliament.uk)
The Home Office’s Crime and Policing Bill already proposes two offences covering electronic devices used in vehicle theft: possession, importation, making, adapting, supplying or offering to supply such devices, with a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both. DSIT’s exercise considers whether similar possession controls should extend beyond vehicle‑theft tools to other types of jammers. (gov.uk)
Government materials cite widespread misuse: blocking vehicle GPS to aid theft, disabling home security systems and video doorbells during burglaries, defeating retail security tags, and disrupting emergency service communications. Officials argue that the capability to obstruct wireless systems essential to daily life justifies revisiting the current framework. (gov.uk)
The resilience case is material. DSIT and the UK Space Agency’s 2023 update estimates that a seven‑day loss of UK positioning, navigation and timing services could impose an economic impact of about £7.64 billion, with emergency services, maritime and road transport accounting for most losses. (gov.uk)
Any reform would need to preserve clearly defined, lawful uses. The government highlights legitimate applications in secure environments, such as prisons-where interference can already be authorised under the Prisons (Interference with Wireless Telegraphy) Acts 2012 and 2018-and in defence contexts, for example during authorised military exercises. The call seeks views on how such exemptions should be delineated. (gov.uk)
Policy Wire analysis: a general possession offence would shift enforcement from evidencing ‘use’ to the simpler test of holding a prohibited device, while the Crime and Policing Bill would continue to target the supply chain for vehicle‑theft tools. Stakeholder input will be pivotal to definitions-what counts as a jammer, what adaptations bring a device into scope, and how to recognise legitimate testing and secure‑site operations. (gov.uk)
Policy Wire analysis: operators of secure facilities, critical infrastructure providers and compliance leads in retail and automotive supply chains should review inventories and authorisations now. Documented lawful‑use cases-for example, prison interference measures undertaken by or with network operators under existing statutes-will likely remain essential, but clarity on evidential thresholds and record‑keeping will be needed if a possession offence proceeds. (legislation.gov.uk)
What happens next is procedural. DSIT will review submissions received up to 11:59pm on 8 May 2026 and publish its conclusions before any legislative proposals are brought forward. The department has signalled that measures will be evidence‑based and proportionate, with the aim of protecting critical national infrastructure while recognising tightly‑defined exemptions. (gov.uk)