This can be a long process but help and support is available

The Police will conduct an initial investigation and then decide to investigate or close the crime.

If the Police decide to close the case it means that there is not enough evidence to pursue it. The Police will take no further action. This will be reviewed every time the Police receive new information about that crime. The case can always be reopened and further investigated. The Officer in the case will discuss this with you.

Sometimes the Police will decide to charge a suspect. However, it is possible that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) then decide to withdraw the charge. The CPS will review all the evidence and may decide there is not enough evidence for there to be a strong likelihood of a conviction at Court. Or they may decide it is not in the public interest to pursue the case. Again, the Officer in the case will discuss this with you.

You may have the Right to ask for a review where the police decide not to charge a suspect. You can find out more about how to do this here: Victims' Right to Review Scheme | Police.uk (www.police.uk).

You can get help and support from Victim Support even if the Police have closed their investigation.