Call for system that frees rape suspects as alternative to bail to be scrapped in England and Wales

‘Released under investigation’ leads to uncertainty and distress for both victim and accused, say campaigners

Hundreds of suspected rapists in England and Wales are spending years released under investigation, under a system that the government has been urged to scrap as it “doesn’t serve anyone’s interests apart from the police”.

Introduced under the Policing & Crime Act 2017, released under investigation (RUI) allows police an alternative to bail, without the set timeframes or conditions attached to police bail.