The Audio Long Read ‘The police weren’t interested’: what’s driving the rise in private prosecutions?
Dec 8, 2025
As public trust in police wanes, individuals are turning to private prosecutions as an alternative route to justice. This trend is fueled by austerity cuts, leaving victims feeling ignored by law enforcement. Some cases reveal that private investigations can trigger broader police actions, but critics warn this system favors the wealthy. Scandals have exposed risks, highlighting wrongful convictions and corporate abuse. While private prosecutions seem to provide quick relief, they may ultimately undermine the integrity of the public justice system.
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Victims Fund Their Own Breakthrough Case
- Carol and three other women discovered they had been collectively defrauded of £46,000 by an ex-boyfriend who promised company shares.
- Their police report led only to a hotline reference, so they funded a private prosecution that uncovered far larger frauds and led to a six-year sentence.
A Parallel Justice System Emerges
- Private prosecutions have ballooned over the past decade into a parallel criminal-justice pathway as state resources shrink.
- The Ministry of Justice says private cases made up a quarter of magistrates' court business in 2024.
Fraud Is Systemically Under-Resourced
- Recorded fraud soared after online offences were counted, but police often ignore fraud because it lacks dramatic policing cues.
- Action Fraud passed only about 6% of reports to police and very few cases reach court.