Investigation
When a crime is reported, the first people involved are the police.
Their role is to investigate the crime, identify suspects, catch them and question them. Once their investigations are complete, the police will either:
- Charge the suspect;
- Release them - but with a summons (an order) to return at a later date;
- Deal with them by using an out-of-court disposal (an alternative to prosecution). This includes:
for adults (18+), a- cannabis warning
- simple caution
- conditional caution
- penalty notice for disorder
- fixed penalty notice (for driving offences)
- reprimand
- final warning
- penalty notice for disorder (16 & 17 year olds only)
- Release them without charge.