We call on the Government to introduce a statutory right to a timely and effective police investigation for victims of crime, including enforceable standards, defined timeframes, and accountability where those standards are not met.

Victims of crime in England and Wales can experience delayed or ineffective investigations, including missed evidence or closure without proper inquiry. There is no statutory mechanism enabling victims to require compliance with investigative standards or timeframes. Concerns are generally addressed retrospectively through complaints or oversight processes rather than through enforceable rights at the point of failure.