If you thought losing a pregnancy was already heartbreaking enough, here’s a grim new reality: in the UK, police are now being encouraged to treat miscarriages, stillbirths, and abortions like criminal investigations. That means officers knocking on doors, searching homes, and seizing phones to find out what really happened. It sounds like something out of a dystopian nightmare or handmaid’s tale, but this is happening right now.

The legal landscape is complicated. Abortion is legal up to 24 weeks under the Abortion Act 1967, but an old, Victorian-era law from 1861 still criminalises abortion if it happens outside strict legal boundaries. That dusty law is being used to justify these invasive police actions. So, if a woman loses a pregnancy, the state might assume wrongdoing and start digging through her private life.

In January, The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) issued guidance telling officers to search for abortion pills, look through text messages, browser histories, and menstrual tracking apps. They’re seizing phones and laptops, accessing medical records, sometimes without a court order, all to determine if a woman knew she was pregnant and intended to end it. This isn’t just an invasion of privacy; it’s a violation of trust during one of the most vulnerable times a person can experience.

This isn’t about punishing criminals. It’s about punishing grief, trauma, and deeply personal medical experiences. Women and young girls who have suffered loss are facing police investigations that only add to their pain. Phones are taken, messages are read, and lives are disrupted all while they’re still coping with heartbreak. The emotional cost is enormous and utterly unjust.

Healthcare workers are caught in the middle. They want to support their patients, but these guidelines pressure them to act like informants. That undermines the confidentiality that’s critical in medical care, and it risks driving women away from the help they need. When trust erodes, everyone loses.

Digital privacy is another battlefield. Apps used to track periods and fertility, once a source of empowerment, are now potential evidence collectors. Many of these apps don’t have strong protections, meaning sensitive data about cycles and miscarriages could be handed over to the authorities. Some companies say they’ll resist, but for now, your private health info could be used against you.

This crackdown hits hardest for those already vulnerable young women, low-income individuals, and marginalised communities. Instead of receiving care and compassion, they face suspicion and surveillance. It deepens inequalities and turns moments of pain into moments of fear.

The core problem? An outdated legal system trying to control reproductive health through criminal law. Using laws written over 150 years ago to police people’s bodies in 2025 is absurd, harmful, and dangerous. This legal mess doesn’t just confuse people; it criminalises natural experiences and strips away autonomy.

For women in the UK, these guidelines create an atmosphere of fear around pregnancy loss. What should be met with support is met with interrogation. What should be private remains under the microscope. The state is turning biology into a crime scene, and privacy into a privilege.

This is more than just a policy issue, it’s a direct assault on bodily autonomy and reproductive rights. It shows how quickly freedoms can be chipped away under the guise of law and order. But being aware is the first step toward resisting.

So yes, be angry. Be unsettled. And stay vigilant. Because if this creeping control goes unchecked, the consequences won’t just be personal, they’ll be political. The fight for reproductive rights is far from over, and it’s a battle that demands all of us to speak up.

If you or someone you know is dealing with pregnancy loss or abortion, or feeling overwhelmed by these new police guidelines, remember: support is out there. You don’t have to face this alone. Here are some organisations in the UK that offer confidential advice, healthcare, and legal support:

• MSI Reproductive Choices : One of the UK’s leading abortion care providers, offering safe services and advice across the country.
• BPAS (British Pregnancy Advisory Service) :Provides abortion services and support, plus information about your rights and options.
• The Miscarriage Association : Dedicated to supporting anyone affected by miscarriage, offering helplines, counselling, and resources.
• Abortion Rights UK : Campaigning for reproductive rights and providing info on safe access to abortion and legal support.
• Rights of Women : A charity that offers free legal advice on women’s rights, including reproductive healthcare and police investigations.
• Shelter and Citizens Advice : Not directly reproductive health focused but vital for those facing housing or legal insecurity alongside healthcare challenges.

If you’re feeling lost or scared, reaching out can make a difference. These organisations are here to listen, advise, and fight for your rights when the system tries to make your body and your choices a battleground.