What Are Private Investigators Allowed To Do in the UK?

May 23, 2021 - Reading time: 9 minutes

There is currently no licensing system in place for private investigators in the UK, this means that British private detectives are bound by the same rules as everyone else. Private investigators will carefully navigate the law in order to gather the most evidence in each case whilst remaining fully legal.

As a leading detective agency based in the UK, our work can be varied and we offer many different services to a wide variety of different client bases. However, as many people may never be in a position where they decide to instruct a private investigator, they might be unaware of what we are allowed to do, and the tasks that we regularly perform for our clients.

With this in mind, we have put together the following list of tasks which private investigators are allowed to perform in the UK:

1. Use hidden camera equipment

Private investigators are permitted to take photographs or video in any public space. This includes taking photos/video of private property whilst they are located on public property. In many cases our detectives will use high powered DSLR cameras to zoom in from a long distance, we can also use night vision cameras where doing so might benefit the case.

If a private investigator needs to take up-close video of a subject, then we will sometimes rely on hidden cameras in order to do so. A competent investigator will typically have a small arsenal of hidden cameras which can be easily incorporated into any outfit or style of dress; tiny pin hole camera lenses can be concealed in shirt buttons, glasses, jewellery, pens, keychains, and inside many other different items. Decent hidden cameras are almost always impossible to spot with the naked eye.

2. Install listening devices

Listening devices or hidden microphones can often be installed inside properties in order to listen in on conversations. In other cases, such as during cases which involve the investigation of care workers/nannies, we can install hidden cameras inside properties in order to capture footage of suspected abuse.

There are strict laws governing the use of hidden microphones/cameras, and private investigators must carefully navigate the law and avoid monitoring people where it would not be appropriate to do so. 

However, it is not only private investigators who have access to such devices. As part of our bug sweeping service, we often locate and destroy hidden microphones/cameras which have been planted in our clients’ properties by police, business rivals, spouses, or other private investigators. We understand that bugging devices, when misused, have the potential to seriously infringe on your privacy.

3. Fit GPS trackers to vehicles

The prevalence of GPS tracking devices has grown massively over recent years, and these devices are often fitted to vehicles by the police as part of criminal investigations. Private detectives can also fit tracking devices while conducting private investigations, and it is easy to understand the benefits of tracking vehicles in this way.

Using GPS tracking devices to check the whereabouts of a car can prove extremely useful during surveillance cases and allow the detective to begin surveillance at key points. This can allow our clients to save money on surveillance time and maximize our chances of securing the “money shot”.

Whilst GPS tracking devices can be used during private investigations, detectives and their clients must ensure that their usage is within the law at all times.

4. Process serving

A common task for most detectives and detective agencies working in the UK is process serving. Process serving (or “service of process”) is simply the procedure whereby a party is formally served with paperwork relating to proceedings which involve them.

Some of the different documents which are commonly served by us in the UK include:

• Non-molestation orders
• Divorce petitions
• Injunctions
• Bankruptcy and winding up petitions
• Statutory demands
• Court orders
• Family proceedings
• Common law notices

5. Use all public records

Whilst private investigators have no right to access confidential records such as bank statements, we can utilize all public records in order to locate people and to run background checks, including criminal record checks and checking court records. We can also prepare due diligence and pre-sue reports for our clients.

Public records are especially useful when it comes to locating people, and finding a person in the UK could be useful in many different cases… Perhaps you need our help to track down an old schoolfriend or former romance; other times we can help to locate debtors, such as property tenants who might accrue unpaid rent before disappearing. We can also help to find the heirs to estates in some cases, and everything else in-between.

If you need to locate someone, then we would suggest compiling all information which you hold on the person and forwarding it to one of our experienced private investigators. If we are able to help then we will be happy to provide you with a free, no pressure quote.

6. Conduct social media research

Private investigators are often tasked with running background checks on individuals and businesses. As many people choose to share in-depth information about themselves and their lives through social media, gathering data from these platforms is a logical step during many different investigations.

Private investigators can aim to find a subject’s persistent digital identity, which can lead to information dating back many years in some cases.

Many detectives will also take the step of creating numerous different fake profiles across the main social media platforms. By creating an arsenal of fake accounts, detectives can send friends requests to the subjects, and when accepted, view “friends only” content which has been published on their social media pages. The goal is usually to have accounts across many different genders/ages, and to select the most appropriate account to use in each case. For example, men tend to be more likely to accept friends requests which come from young and attractive females.

7. Perform covert surveillance

Surveillance is typically the bread-and-butter service for most detective agencies working in the UK. Put simply, as part of our covert surveillance service we will monitor a subject, follow them around, and collect photos/videos; all whilst remaining hidden and without the subject of the investigation ever finding out that they have been placed under surveillance.

Covert surveillance can prove useful under many different circumstances. From investigating a cheating partner, to checking claims that a person is injured or handicapped after an accident. Surveillance is also used as part of our due diligence service, to gather proof of cohabitation, and for many other different reasons.   

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We are a leading detective agency based in the UK, and cover all areas of Great Britain. Please feel free to read our homepage for more information about us, our services, and our pricing.

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