Missing or lost police evidence in the UK causes collapse of 1000s of cases

Homicides and rapes hang in limbo across England and Wales, striking an unsettling chord louder than any headline. More than 30,000 prosecutions in England and Wales collapsed between October 2020 and September 2024, data from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) revealed, according to an in-depth BBC report.

Last year alone, more than 1,200 murder investigations stalled with no suspect identified—a terrifying reflection of what is lost to families and survivors when police mishandling of evidence breaks the promise of justice. This is not a situation that can be left to linger. Urgent action is needed.

At the same time, one in six rape allegations now face dismissal before reaching court, an unfortunate statistic because it means the system has failed to support victims who feel let down. That backlog is not a distant problem but a pressing crisis. Investigators routinely mishandle video evidence, fail to test DNA and lose essential documents. In too many cases, courts have deemed major mistakes unavoidable. 

25% of all murder investigations remain unresolved

National figures suggest unresolved cases represent nearly a quarter of all murder and attempted murder investigations from 2023, while more than 16,000 rape claims were dropped at a pre-charge stage. These are not just numbers—they represent shattered lives, unanswered cries for accountability, and a community left in fear and uncertainty.

Nineteenth-century British politician William Gladstone once said, “Justice delayed is justice denied.” Of course, Honolulu author Edward K. Conklin later shared his version: “Justice delayed is little better than justice denied”. Regardless, the BBC findings reveal a severe crisis.

Families of loved ones who never see their attacker brought to trial continue to deal with the trauma of the incident and the unanswered questions that follow. The emotional toll on these families is immeasurable, and their pain should not be overlooked. 

Victims of sexual violence often carry that burden alone, navigating shattered trust in a system that promised safety. Police forces across the country acknowledge a decline in trust; an internal review described a “systemic rot” in the handling of major crimes. 

When evidence is not secured properly, when procedures are ignored, and when investigators are either overworked or undertrained, the consequences are felt on the streets and in communities, not in spreadsheets.

Skeletal cold cases units

This is not a story of bad will but of bad systems. Budget cuts have stripped detective units bare, plunging forces into reactive mode instead of proactive investigation. Officer turnovers and low morale have left cold case units skeletal, reliant on volunteers and retired detectives. Laboratory delays linger for months, meaning DNA from victims is left in storage while perpetrators roam free, emboldened by the promise of silence.

Community voices are growing louder. Families forced to campaign for answers hold vigils, they chain themselves to police stations, they demand public inquiries. 

Once quiet voices—survivors, mothers, and loved ones—now stand on street corners, facing media cameras and waving poster boards. Their message is simple: fix this, fix it fast. There is no silver bullet, but there are steps that can be taken now to improve the situation. Reform is not just a suggestion, it’s a necessity. 

Dedicated cold-case task forces. Proper funding for forensic labs. Training that ensures video footage is logged accurately—every piece of evidence matters.

600 unsolved homicide cases

Scotland Yard has begun a review of internal processes and moved to mend relationships with rape crisis centres. But 600 unsolved homicides cannot wait while apologies are issued or audits are drawn up. The clock is beating against forgotten victims tonight. Unless action is swift and sustained, the rift between police and the public will deepen.

This is more than a policy problem. It reflects how a nation values safety, accountability, and empathy. We cannot accept a system where justice is a hope rather than a guarantee. Lives depend on it—lost lives, stolen futures, and the quiet ache of unanswered ‘why’ that echoes daily in homes across the country. These are not just statistics, but real people with real stories and real pain.

Time has shown that mistakes in handling evidence do more than delay a case. They shatter confidence, they embolden criminals, and they carve deep wounds into families and communities. It falls to the government and police leadership to act with urgency now. Change cannot be bureaucratic or delayed – it must be relentless, visible and measured. Every mishandled video, every DNA test left on the shelf, every juvenile promise to investigate that dies unread—is a failure of the system to uphold its most basic obligation: to protect and serve all of us.

The clock is ticking. This moment demands more than warm words—it requires a system rebuilt around evidence-based care, continuous funding, and unwavering commitment to modern policing. Victims and families need your support to deliver on their basic expectations. Nothing less will do. Your voice, your vote, and your demand for change can make a difference.