Initial proposals for a small, voluntary pilot scheme were reportedly rejected for being too lenient.
Mahmood is now said to be considering more robust options, including the wider adoption of chemical castration — potentially going further than any previous UK policy on the matter.
What Is Chemical Castration?
Chemical castration involves administering two types of drugs: one to reduce testosterone and physical libido, and another to suppress sexual urges and intrusive thoughts.
It is currently used in a number of European countries — including Germany, France, Sweden, and Denmark — often on a voluntary basis. Some offenders even request the treatment, citing it as a way to regain control over their impulses.
In the United States, certain states such as California use chemical castration as a condition of parole for serious sex offenders.
A poll conducted in February by Find Out Now found that 67% of Britons under 30 support the use of chemical castration for sex offenders.
