If you are released on police bail after an arrest, it can feel like a huge relief, but there is often a sense of uncertainty that comes with it.
Many of our clients ask us right away: how long can you be on bail for under the current rules?
How this guide can help if you are on police bail
At TV Edwards, our criminal defence team has guided thousands of clients through police bail, helping reduce stress and protect their rights with practical, step-by-step advice. In this guide, we will break down:
- The current bail periods
- When and how the police can extend them
- What conditions might be attached
- What happens if you breach bail
- How to get support if you are stuck in limbo
It can be a complex situation to navigate, but with the right advice and support, it will be much less stressful.
Why did the police bail rules change in 2022?
The reforms did not happen overnight – they were born out of years of frustration on all sides.
Prior to 2017, people could languish on bail for years with no real time limit, which could cause immense anxiety and allow investigations to drag on indefinitely. The Police and Crime Act 2017 introduced a 28-day limit (extendable in stages), but this led to a surge in “released under investigation” (RUI) cases, where suspects were let go without conditions or deadlines.
Victims therefore felt unprotected, especially in serious cases like domestic abuse or sexual offences, while suspects were left in a frustrating “limbo” with no closure. The 2022 Act sought to reverse this trend by creating a presumption in favour of bail, which means that police have to justify RUI over bail.
This shift aims to balance public safety with efficient investigations, and while the system is not perfect by any means, it has reduced the number of indefinite RUI cases significantly.
With no new reforms announced as of the end of 2025, these rules remain the standard.
How long does police bail last?
Whether having your bail extended is good or bad depends on the circumstances – it may mean the police are actively progressing enquiries, but it also prolongs uncertainty and restrictions for the person on bail. Here is a breakdown of the standard timeline for most offences:
- Initial Bail Period: Up to 3 months from the date bail is granted. This is often referred to as being released on bail to return, meaning you must attend the police station again on a specified date. This allows the police time to gather evidence without having to keep the suspect in custody.
- First Extension (by an inspector or above): Another 3 months (totalling 6 months), but only if the investigation is progressing diligently and bail remains necessary.
- Second Extension (by a superintendent or above): A further 3 months (totalling 9 months), with stricter scrutiny to ensure that proportionality is maintained.
- Court Extensions: Police can apply to the Magistrates’ Court for up to an additional 3 months (totalling 12 months) in the first instance, and in exceptional cases, up to 18 months in total – though the court must agree that the extension is justified.
For “designated” cases handled by specialist agencies like the Serious Fraud Office or National Crime Agency, initial periods can start at 6 months, with court extensions in 6-month increments up to 24 months or more.
What’s the difference between police bail and Released Under Investigation (RUI)?
Understanding this distinction could be crucial, as it affects your obligations and rights.
Many people find themselves on bail but not charged, which can feel extremely stressful – particularly when there is little clarity about how long the investigation will take or what the eventual outcome might be.
Police bail requires you to return to the station on a specific date, and conditions (curfews or no-contact orders, for example) can be attached to protect victims or prevent any interference. If you breach bail, you can be arrested immediately, and the original detention clock will resume.
RUI, on the other hand, has no return date, no conditions, and no time limit. If you are released under investigation, you just have to wait until the police contact you later. The 2022 reforms made RUI rarer for serious cases, favouring bail to allow better oversight.
This change has been praised for victim protection but criticised for increasing anxiety around fixed return dates, which, as mentioned above, are not implemented. In practice, RUI is now mostly used for low-level offences where no further action is likely any time soon.
Can police bail conditions be changed or removed?
Yes. Bail is not set in stone, and we help clients vary or lift conditions regularly. Police bail conditions are rules set by the police to manage risk while an investigation is ongoing, and they can have a significant impact on your day-to-day life if they are too restrictive or unclear.
Common conditions include not contacting witnesses, living at a specific address, surrendering your passport, or electronic tagging. If a condition feels unreasonable or is impacting you negatively in some way, you can apply to the police for a variation. If the police refuse, we can take it to the Magistrates’ Court, where a judge will review the necessity and proportionality of the police response.
The process is straightforward, but it is essential to act quickly as delays can complicate things.
What happens if you breach police bail?
Breaching bail – whether by missing a return date or breaking police bail conditions, such as a curfew or no-contact requirement – is taken very seriously.
Police can arrest you without a warrant, and you will then be taken back to the station, where the original PACE detention clock (up to 96 hours in serious cases) resumes where it left off. The 2022 Act added a 3-hour “pause” to this clock upon arrest for breach, giving police time to assess without eating into your full detention period.
If you think you are at risk of breaching, contact us immediately – we can apply for variations or representations to prevent any escalation.
How TV Edwards can help if you are on police bail
You do not have to navigate police bail alone.
Our criminal defence team offers:
- 24/7 police station representation
- Urgent applications to vary your conditions
- Proactive representations to end bail early or avoid charges altogether
We have helped clients in everything from minor theft to serious fraud, often resolving matters before they even reach court. Whether you are dealing with a simple extension or a complex designated case, we adapt our support for your situation, always with clear communication.
With legal aid available for most cases, our expertise is accessible when you need it most.
Contact our criminal defence team today
If you want to know how long you can be on bail for and need straightforward, friendly advice, contact us on 020 3440 8000, email enquiries@tvedwards.com or complete the below contact form.
