Tony Hudgell wins campaign as UK set to create new child cruelty register
An 11-year-old campaigner, tony hudgell, and his adoptive mum Paula have achieved a major policy win: an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill is expected to establish a child cruelty register that will place parents guilty of neglect and other child abuses under monitoring similar to that applied to registered sex offenders.
Tony Hudgell: how a family campaign pushed change
Tony Hudgell and his adoptive mother Paula have campaigned for years to strengthen protections for vulnerable children. The announcement follows that campaign, and Paula — from West Malling in Kent — described the development as a victory for Tony and for every child who deserves to be safe, protected and heard. She said the campaign showed that persistence and a united team can produce real change after eight years of campaigning.
What the child cruelty register will cover
The register, to be established through an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill expected to be tabled shortly, would cover child neglect, child cruelty, abandonment, female genital mutilation (FGM) and infanticide. The government has described these offences as egregious betrayals of a child’s trust and dependency and intends the register to give safeguarding teams greater visibility to prevent further abuse.
Monitoring and reporting obligations on those listed
Under the proposed change, those placed on the register would face monitoring and restrictions similar to those for registered sex offenders. Individuals on the register would be required to inform police if they move house, change their identity, travel abroad or live with children again after serving their sentence. The aim is to make offenders visible to police so authorities can see and act when risks arise.
The abuse that sparked the campaign
Tony Hudgell was 41 days old when he was attacked by Jody Simpson and her partner Anthony Smith. The assault caused multiple fractures and dislocations, and blunt trauma to the face that led to organ failure, toxic shock and sepsis. He was left untreated and in agony for 10 days. Because of the extent of his injuries both of his legs had to be amputated. Simpson and Smith were jailed for 10 years in 2018 for inflicting the injuries that led to his double amputation.
Recognition, charity work and legal reforms tied to the campaign
Tony received the British Empire Medal for services to the prevention of child abuse. He went on to co-found the Tony Hudgell Foundation and helped raise more than £1. 7m for charity during the pandemic. The family also saw the introduction of Tony's Law, which strengthened sentencing for those who cause or allow serious harm to children. Paula said the new child cruelty register builds on that progress by giving safeguarding teams the tools and visibility they need to prevent further abuse.
Political response and next steps
Sentencing minister Jake Richards paid tribute to Paula Hudgell for her remarkable fight to ensure no child should endure the life-altering abuse that her son experienced. Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips described it as unforgivable that a caregiver would hurt a child and said ministers have listened to the Hudgells and families who felt the system had not done enough; she framed the register as vital action to keep children safer. Paula thanked everyone who supported the campaign, including Helen Grant MP, and said the journey had been emotional, challenging and at times overwhelming but never just her fight.
The government had indicated in November that it could introduce a register following the Hudgell family's campaigning. The proposed amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill is expected to be tabled shortly; details and implementation timelines remain unclear in the provided context.
