Police Delays Under Investigation
Police watchdogs will now investigate systemic delays in sexual offence cases, acknowledging the harm caused by years-long waits and the urgent need for reform
29th January 2026 - A major step forward for accountability in policing.
A super-complaint on excessively lengthy police investigations into sexual offences - submitted by the Centre for Women’s Justice, Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre, Rape Crisis England & Wales and Bindmans LLP - has now been accepted for investigation by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services.
What’s happened
The super-complaint highlights systemic delays in police investigations, with over 37,000 survivors waiting more than three years for cases to be investigated over the past decade.
The complaint has been assessed as eligible under the Police Super-complaints system and will now be formally investigated by HMICFRS, alongside the College of Policing and the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Why it matters
Prolonged delays cause real harm - forcing many survivors to withdraw because of the impact on their mental health.
Backlogs don’t stop at policing: if charged, cases can then face years in the Crown Court backlog, undermining confidence in the entire criminal justice system.
This investigation recognises that delays are not isolated incidents, but a systemic failure that demands reform.
What happens next
The three oversight bodies will plan and undertake a full investigation into policing practices linked to these delays.
Findings will be crucial in shaping standards, accountability, and reform across policing and beyond.
“For far too long, survivors have been asked to engage with a process that no longer resembles a functioning criminal justice system.” - Rape Crisis England & Wales
Keep an eye on this space
This investigation matters - for survivors, for accountability, and for rebuilding trust in a system that must do better.
