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Criminal Investigation

Asked by Martin WrigleyLiberal DemocratHome OfficeTabled Answered 13 February 2025UIN 29242

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to reduce the number of cases under investigation by police for over one year.

Answered by Dame Diana Johnson

Timely investigation of crime is important for victims and to ensure swift justice. Official statistics on crime outcomes, published by the Home Office for the year ending September 2024, shows that 86% of all offences (without fraud) are closed within 100 days.

I welcome that HMICFRS is currently undertaking an ‘investigations’ thematic inspection and we will work with the sector on its recommendations. We will work closely with policing partners to continue to equip them with the tools needed to investigate crime and progress cases through the system swiftly, I welcome that HMICFRS is currently undertaking an including those which can significantly reduce the time taken to process digital forensic material.

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