Beheshteh Engineer on the impact of releasing suspects ‘under investigation’ (RUI)

In the following article, Beheshteh Engineer discusses the recent surge in suspects being released under investigation by the Police. Following changes to the Policing and Crime Act 2017, police can either release a suspect ‘under investigation’ or release them on bail; it is now thought that around 75-80% of suspects are RUI’d, an alarming statistic. Beheshteh discusses the effects this sea change in approach has had on suspects, concerns about public protection and the impact this has had on the Court system. She concludes this insightful piece by discussing the announcement by the Home Secretary, in November 2019, that there would be a review of pre-charge bail.