Proposal to restrict police bail

A freedom of information request made by the Law society has revealed that there are more than 57,000 people currently on police bail awaiting a decision as to what action, if any, will be taken against them. significantly, this data was only taken from 34 of the 44 police forces.  The Law society has proposed a 28 day time limit on police bail which could be extended on application by a Magistrate who would have to be informed of the status of the investigation. It is unclear whether the Law society proposes that solicitors would be entitled to make representations at any such hearing but the proposal should be welcomed particularly for those that find themselves on long term police bail for fraud offences.