Statutory guidance

Pre-charge bail statutory guidance

Statutory guidance to be followed by those who exercise functions relating to pre-charge bail in England and Wales.

Documents

Pre-charge bail statutory guidance

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Details

This document provides guidance on the pre-charge bail regime in England and Wales, to be read in conjunction with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. The guidance is approved by the Secretary of State for the Home Office, laid in Parliament and published by the College of Policing.

All those who exercise functions relating to pre-charge bail should follow this guidance – with the exception of members of the Serious Fraud Office, Financial Conduct Authority, National Crime Agency or HM Revenue and Customs. These agencies will have their own guidance on their pre-charge bail regimes.

Updates to this page

Published 1 March 2023
Last updated 9 June 2023 + show all updates
  1. Added an accessible version.

  2. Accessible version added.

  3. First published.

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