When Do the Police Stop Investigating a Crime? (2026 Guide)

In Brief

There is no general time limit on how long a police investigation can last in England and Wales. For indictable and either-way offences, the police can investigate for as long as they consider necessary. For summary-only offences, proceedings must begin within a set timeframe, usually six months from the date of the alleged offence.

Police typically stop investigating when they have exhausted all lines of enquiry, when the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advises there is no realistic prospect of conviction, or when it is not in the public interest to continue. If you are released on pre-charge bail, the initial period for standard cases is three months, extendable with senior authorisation. If you are released under investigation (RUI), there is currently no statutory time limit. When an investigation ends without charges, you will typically receive a no further action (NFA) decision.

How Does a Police Investigation Work?

When a crime is reported or discovered, the police will open an investigation. This generally involves gathering evidence such as witness statements, forensic material, CCTV footage, financial records, and digital data from phones and computers.

If you are a suspect, you may be arrested and taken to a police station for interview, or asked to attend a voluntary interview under caution. During this interview, you have the right to free legal representation – and we strongly recommend you exercise that right. How you respond during a police interview can have a significant impact on whether charges follow. Read our guide on whether you should say “no comment” in a police interview.

After the investigation, the police will either charge you, refer the case to the CPS for a charging decision, issue an out-of-court disposal (such as a caution), or take no further action.

When Do the Police Stop Investigating a Crime?

The police may decide to stop investigating a crime for several reasons:

Insufficient evidence. If the police cannot gather enough evidence to meet the CPS charging threshold – a realistic prospect of conviction – the investigation will likely be closed. The CPS applies a two-stage test: first, is there sufficient evidence, and second, is prosecution in the public interest?

The CPS advises against charging. For more serious offences, the police must refer the case to the CPS before charging. If the CPS determines the evidence is insufficient or prosecution is not in the public interest, the case will be discontinued. You can read more about this process in our guide on how to get the CPS to drop charges.

Procedural errors. If evidence was obtained unlawfully – for example, through an improper search, a flawed identification procedure, or a coerced interview – this can undermine the entire case.

Minor offence or first offence. Where the offence is relatively minor and you have no previous convictions, the police may decide a formal prosecution is disproportionate. Instead, they may offer a caution, a community resolution, or another out-of-court disposal.

The victim withdraws support. While the police can press charges without the victim’s consent, a lack of victim cooperation can make it significantly harder to build a case, particularly where the victim’s testimony is the primary evidence.

When a case is closed without charge, this is known as a no further action (NFA) decision.

Is There a Time Limit on Police Investigations?

For most criminal offences in England and Wales, there is no statutory time limit on how long a police investigation can remain open. This means that for indictable offences (such as robbery, fraud, or sexual offences) and either-way offences (such as theft or assault occasioning actual bodily harm), the police can continue investigating for months or even years.

The key exception is summary-only offences – less serious crimes that can only be tried in a Magistrates’ Court. Under section 127 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, proceedings for a summary-only offence must generally be commenced within six months of the date the offence was committed. If the police miss this deadline, they cannot prosecute.

There are limited exceptions to the six-month rule. For example, common assault committed in a domestic abuse context sometimes carries an extended time limit.

Pre-Charge Bail and Released Under Investigation

If you are arrested but not immediately charged, you will either be released on pre-charge bail, released under investigation (RUI) or served with a No Further Action decision. How long you remain on pre-charge bail or released under investigation depends on which route the police take.

Pre-Charge Bail

Under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (PCSC) Act 2022, the initial pre-charge bail period is three months. If the investigation is not complete by then, bail can be extended:

• Up to 6 months – authorised by an Inspector
• Up to 9 months – authorised by a Superintendent
• Beyond 9 months – requires approval from a Magistrates’ Court

Pre-charge bail can come with conditions, such as not contacting certain individuals, a curfew, or surrendering your passport. For a detailed explanation, see our guide on being on bail but not charged.

Released Under Investigation (RUI)

Unlike pre-charge bail, RUI has no statutory time limit and no conditions attached to it. This means you could remain under investigation indefinitely, with no formal oversight or review process.

The uncertainty of RUI has been widely criticised. The Leveson Review, published in July 2025, recommended that RUI should be abolished entirely and that all suspects released from the police station during an ongoing investigation should be placed on bail – whether conditional or unconditional. As of February 2026, this recommendation has not yet been enacted, but reform is expected.

How Do You Know When a Police Investigation Is Closed?

If the police decide to take no further action, they should notify you in writing. This is commonly known as an NFA letter. However, the police do not always communicate promptly, and some people are left waiting without any update.

If you have not heard anything for a prolonged period, you can:

• Contact the investigating officer directly and ask for a status update on your case
• Call the police non-emergency line (101) and quote your crime reference number
• Submit a Subject Access Request (SAR) under the Data Protection Act 2018 to obtain records the police hold about you, which may indicate whether the investigation is still active

If you have a solicitor acting on your behalf, they can make these enquiries for you and chase progress more effectively.

How JD Spicer Zeb Can Help

Being under police investigation is stressful and uncertain, especially when you do not know how long it will last or whether charges will follow. At JD Spicer Zeb Solicitors, our specialist criminal defence team can:

• Engage with the police on your behalf before any charge is brought (known as pre-charge engagement), presenting evidence and representations that may prevent charges entirely
• Advise you during police interviews, whether under arrest or by voluntary attendance
• Challenge unlawful bail conditions or excessive investigation timescales
• Represent you at court if charges are brought, at both the Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court

We offer 24/7 emergency support and can be at the police station when you need us. Contact us on 020 7624 7771 for immediate advice, or:

• London: 020 7624 7771
• Birmingham: 0121 614 3333
• Manchester: 0161 835 1638

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do police investigations last?

There is no fixed timeframe. Simple cases may be resolved within weeks, while complex investigations involving digital forensics, financial analysis, or multiple suspects can take many months or even years.

If you are on pre-charge bail, the initial period is three months, which is then extendable to six, nine, and then beyond nine months with court approval under the PCSC Act 2022. Once the bail period ends, the police will need to make a decision regarding the next stage of the case, which may involve release under investigation.

 If you have been released under investigation, there is no statutory limit on how long this can continue.

Can a police investigation be reopened after NFA?

Yes. A no further action decision does not prevent the police from reopening an investigation if new evidence comes to light. For indictable and either-way offences, there is no time limit on this. However, for summary-only offences, the six-month prosecution deadline still applies from the date of the alleged offence.

How long can police keep you under investigation without charge?

If you are on pre-charge bail, the initial period is three months, extendable to six, nine, and then beyond nine months with court approval under the PCSC Act 2022. If you are released under investigation, there is currently no statutory time limit.

Can you find out if police are investigating you?

The police are not obliged to tell you that you are under investigation before they are ready to interview or arrest you. However, if you suspect you are being investigated, a solicitor can make discreet enquiries on your behalf. You can also submit a Subject Access Request to the police.

What does “released under investigation” mean?

Released under investigation (RUI) means you have been released from police custody while the investigation continues, but without any bail conditions attached. Unlike pre-charge bail, RUI has no statutory time limit and no formal review process, which can leave suspects in limbo for extended periods.

What is the difference between pre-charge bail and released under investigation?

Pre-charge bail comes with a set time period (initially three months), conditions (such as not contacting certain people), and a formal review process. RUI has no time limit, no conditions, and no structured oversight. The Leveson Review (2025) has recommended abolishing RUI in favour of bail for all released suspects.

Related Articles

• What is a ‘No Further Action’ Letter?
• On Bail But Not Charged - What Does It Mean?
• What Evidence Does The CPS Need To Charge Someone?
• Should You Say “No Comment” in a Police Interview?
• Can the Police Press Charges Without the Victim’s Consent?
• How to Get the CPS to Drop Charges Before Your Court Date

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