Bail an 'essential tool in securing justice'

National Policing Lead for Criminal Justice, Chief Constable Chris Eyre said:

“Pre-charge bail is an essential tool in securing justice. The police have been clear that we want and need a bail system that is efficient and proportionate, both for victims and those suspected of committing crimes. 

“Each and every investigation follows a different path. Less than two per cent of arrests result in a person being on bail for more than six months. However, in an increasingly globalised and digitised world some cases are complex, involving computers, forensics, CCTV, interpreters, medical evidence or cross-agency work. These processes are time consuming and cannot be rushed.

“On rare occasions a senior investigating officer may choose to name an arrested person where there is a good policing purpose for doing so, for example, in order to encourage other people who may have been victims to come forward. The media are often capable of identifying and naming an arrested person without assistance from the police. Where information is released by officers or staff without the appropriate authority this will be taken seriously and dealt with.

“An initial 28 day time limit on bail would be unhelpful and expensive. We are working closely with the College of Policing and Home Office to improve the way bail is managed and ensure that all criminal cases are concluded as swiftly, fairly and transparently as possible. As part of these changes, College of Policing pre-charge bail standards will be clearly defined and embedded in professional practice that will be subject to internal assessment as well as rigorous independent inspection.”