The London Assembly Police & Crime Committee wrote to the Home Office today following the dramatic increase in the number of suspects being Released Under Investigation (RUI).
This information came to light following a London Assembly Police and Crime Committee meeting on 9 January 2020 with Sir Stephen House QPM, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service and Sophie Linden, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime. The Met Police informed the Committee that it has taken steps to reduce the use of RUI and reintroduce bail.
Chair of the London Assembly Police & Crime Committee, Unmesh Desai AM, said:
“The Met has been lobbying the Home Office to change legislation on suspects being released under investigation and the Assembly fully supports the force’s campaign on this.
“For Domestic Abuse cases, it cannot be right that suspects can be released and free to return to their home address without conditions. This means that victims are not getting the protection they need. The Home Office and subsequently the Met has a duty to protect victims of all crime.
“The consultation opened by the Home Office on this issue is welcomed and the Assembly will also submit a response to reiterate its full support for the much-needed changes to the legislation.”
Download RUI letter - Home Office
Notes to editors
- The letter is attached.
- Unmesh Desai AM, Chairman of the Police & Crime Committee is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Police & Crime Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Aoife Nolan on 020 7983 4067. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.