There have been a number of high-profile cases where individuals under investigation have been subject to pre-charge bail for many months and even years, yet ultimately no charges have been brought against them. The injustice of these cases has led to calls for a fundamental re-examination of the way pre-charge bail is used.

The College of Policing carried out a consultation on the principles of pre-charge bail management between 27 March and 21 July 2014. The College published the responses to that consultation on 11 December 2014, along with a set of standards for the police to adopt. The College intends to incorporate those standards shortly into revised Authorised Professional Practice (APP) on Bail Management.

Government report: Pre-charge Bail Consultation on Statutory Time Limits and Related Changes.