Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been released under investigation by each police force in each of the last three years.
The Home Office does not hold the information requested.
Decisions on pre-charge bail and released under investigation, as well as the timely and effective management of investigations, are operational matters for the police.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council issued guidance (January 2019) to assist frontline officers in recognising when and how pre-charge bail can be used in order to contribute to an effective investigation. The guidance helps police officers and staff in making clear and effective risk-based decisions in relation to suspects, victims and witnesses when using pre-charge bail or released under investigation during their investigations.
The guidance also covers management of investigations when a suspect is released under investigation, including the expectation that there are regular, documented review points.
The Home Office continues to work with partners across the criminal justice system, including police, on matters related to pre-charge bail and released under investigation.