What is a No Further Action (NFA) Letter? A Complete UK Guide (2026)

In Brief

A No Further Action (NFA) letter is an official notification from the police confirming that an investigation is closed and a decision has been made that no criminal charges will be brought against you for that matter. Receiving an NFA letter means your case is concluded at the investigation stage, and you will not need to attend court for those specific allegations. However, an NFA decision does not constitute a finding of innocence, and your arrest may still appear on enhanced DBS checks in certain circumstances. If you have been released under investigation or on bail and are waiting to hear about your case, a solicitor can help you understand the process and protect your interests.

What is a No Further Action Letter?

If you have been arrested or interviewed under caution, and then bailed or  released under investigation, there are generally two possible outcomes:

1. You are charged (in person or via postal requisition)
2. You receive a No Further Action (NFA) letter

An NFA letter confirms that the police have decided not to pursue criminal charges against you. The letter typically states that “no further action will be taken” in relation to the matter you were being investigated for.

NFA meaning: In police and legal terminology, NFA stands for “No Further Action” - it is the formal decision to close an investigation without bringing charges.

The decision may come from the police themselves (who can make charging decisions for less serious offences) or from the Crown Prosecution Service (who authorise charges for more serious matters).

Why Do Police Issue NFA Decisions?

There are several reasons why you might receive an NFA decision:

Insufficient evidence: The most common reason for NFA is that there is not enough evidence to provide a “realistic prospect of conviction” - the legal test required before charges can be brought.

Public interest: Even where evidence exists, the CPS may decide that prosecution is not in the public interest. Factors include the seriousness of the offence, circumstances of the defendant, and impact on victims.

No crime committed: Investigation may reveal that no criminal offence actually took place.

Victim withdrawal: In some cases, particularly domestic matters, the complainant may withdraw their support for prosecution. However, the CPS can still proceed if there is sufficient other evidence.

Evidential difficulties: Key evidence may be inadmissible, unreliable, or contradicted by other evidence.

Time limits: For summary-only offences, charges must typically be brought within six months of the offence. If this deadline passes, NFA is the only option.

How Long Does It Take to Receive an NFA Letter?

There is no fixed timeframe for receiving an NFA letter. The duration depends on several factors:

What Happens After You Receive NFA?

Once you receive an NFA letter:

Your bail conditions end immediately. Any conditions imposed (such as curfews, non-contact requirements, or surrender of passport) cease to apply.

You do not need to attend court for the matters covered by the NFA decision.

You can request return of seized property. Items taken during arrest or search can usually be recovered, unless they are illegal to possess or required as evidence in related proceedings.

Your biometric data may be retained. Depending on the type of offence you were arrested for, your fingerprints and DNA may still be held on police databases - see below for details.

Does No Further Action Mean Not Guilty?

No. An NFA decision is not the same as being found not guilty by a court.

A court acquittal means that a judge or jury has heard evidence and determined that the prosecution has not proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

An NFA decision simply means that the case did not proceed to court. This could be because:

• There was insufficient evidence to charge
• Prosecution was not in the public interest
• The complainant withdrew their support

Importantly, an NFA does not mean you are “innocent” - it means you were not charged and prosecuted. However, for practical purposes, you have no conviction, no criminal record for the matter, and the presumption of innocence remains intact.

Does NFA Appear on DBS Checks?

The impact of an NFA on Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks depends on the type of check:

Basic DBS Check

An NFA will not appear on a basic DBS check. Basic checks only reveal unspent convictions.

Standard DBS Check

An NFA will not appear on a standard DBS check. Standard checks show both spent and unspent convictions and cautions, but not arrests or investigations that did not lead to a charge.

Enhanced DBS Check

An NFA may appear on an enhanced DBS check in limited circumstances.

Enhanced checks include a section for “other relevant information” that the chief police officer believes is relevant to the role applied for. If you were arrested for a relevant offence (such as a sexual offence when applying to work with children), the police may disclose this information even if you were not charged.

However, disclosure is not automatic. The police must consider whether the information is relevant, proportionate, and whether disclosure would be in the public interest. You have the right to make representations before any disclosure is made.

Important: The filtering rules were updated in October 2023 under amendments to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. These changes affected what convictions and cautions appear on DBS certificates, but the rules around disclosing NFA outcomes on enhanced checks remain at the discretion of the chief police officer.

How Long Does NFA Stay on Police Records?

Even after an NFA decision, your arrest and investigation details may be retained on police databases:

Police National Computer (PNC)

Information about arrests is recorded on the PNC. Even with an NFA outcome, this record typically remains until a person is 100 years old.

Police National Database (PND)

The PND holds intelligence information that may be retained regardless of the outcome of an investigation.

Biometric Data (DNA and Fingerprints)

Under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012:

Non-qualifying offences: If you were arrested for a minor offence and received NFA, your DNA and fingerprints must usually be deleted.

Qualifying offences: If you were arrested for a serious offence (including sexual, violent, terrorism, or burglary offences), the police can apply to the Biometrics Commissioner for permission to retain your DNA and fingerprints for up to 3 years. At the end of that period, a single 2-year extension can be granted by a District Judge.

Requesting deletion: You can apply to have your DNA and fingerprints deleted using the process set out on your local police force website. The application goes to the Biometrics Commissioner if the police wish to retain the data against your wishes.

Can an NFA Case Be Reopened?

Yes, an NFA decision does not permanently close a case. There are several circumstances where it could be revisited:

New Evidence

If significant new evidence emerges - such as forensic developments, new witnesses, or a confession - the police can reopen an investigation regardless of how much time has passed (for indictable offences).

Victims’ Right to Review (VRR)

Since 2013, victims and complainants have the right to request a review of a CPS decision not to charge. This is a two-stage process:

1.        First review: A senior prosecutor in the local CPS area reviews the decision

2.        Second review: If requested, the CPS Appeals and Review Unit conducts a fresh independent review

The CPS aims to complete reviews within 30 working days. If the review overturns the original NFA decision, charges may be brought against you.

Child Sexual Abuse Review Panel

For historical allegations of child sexual offences marked NFA before 5 June 2013, complainants can request the Child Sexual Abuse Review Panel (CSARP) revisit the decision.

Recovering Seized Property After NFA

Following an NFA decision, you are entitled to recover property seized during the investigation, provided:

• The items are not illegal to possess (e.g., controlled drugs, weapons)
• They are not required as evidence in other proceedings
• There is no dispute over ownership

Contact the officer in charge of your case to arrange collection. If items are not returned, you may need to make a formal complaint or seek legal advice.

Get Expert Legal Advice

If you are under investigation or have received a No Further Action letter, speaking to an experienced criminal defence solicitor can help you:

• Understand the implications of the NFA decision
• Apply to have your biometric data deleted
• Challenge any proposed disclosure on enhanced DBS checks
• Prepare for professional disciplinary proceedings that may follow
• Respond to any Victims’ Right to Review process

Contact JD Spicer Zeb Solicitors:

• London: 020 7624 7771
• Birmingham: 0121 614 3333
• Manchester: 0161 835 1638
• 24/7 Emergency Line: 07836 577 556

Our criminal defence team has extensive experience representing clients throughout police investigations and can advise you on protecting your reputation and career after an NFA decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is no further action the same as case closed?

Yes, although there is a caveat – it is case closed for the time being. An NFA decision means the current investigation is concluded, but it does not permanently close the case. New evidence could lead to the investigation being reopened, and complainants can request a review under the Victims’ Right to Review scheme.

Does NFA mean I have a criminal record?

No. An NFA decision means no charges were brought, so you have no conviction or criminal record for that matter. However, details of your arrest may still be held on police databases.

Can I claim compensation for false allegations after NFA?

An NFA decision does not automatically entitle you to compensation. However, if you were the victim of malicious allegations, you may be able to pursue a civil claim for defamation or malicious prosecution. You should seek legal advice from a solicitor who specialises in actions against the police about your specific circumstances.

How will I be notified of the NFA decision?

You will typically receive written notification by post. In some cases, the officer in charge may telephone you first. If you have a solicitor representing you, they will usually be notified directly.

Can the police investigate me again for the same offence?

Yes, if new evidence emerges, the police can reopen their investigation. There is no “double jeopardy” protection at the investigation stage - that only applies after acquittal in court proceedings.

What happens to bail conditions when I receive NFA?

All bail conditions connected with the specific matter in question cease immediately upon an NFA decision. You no longer need to report to a police station, observe curfews, or comply with any other bail requirements relating to that matter. However, if you remain on bail for other offences, which have not been NFA’d, you will still be bound by any conditions attached to them. It is important that you seek specialist legal advice before treating your bail as at an end.

Related Articles

• On Bail But Not Charged - What Does It Mean?
• What Evidence Does the CPS Need to Charge Someone?
• When Do the Police Decide to Stop Investigating a Crime?
• How to Get the CPS to Drop Charges Before Your Court Date
• Should You Say “No Comment” in a Police Interview?

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, please contact a solicitor.