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Private Investigators

UK Private Investigators

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Confidential

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Free consultation

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Trusted Private Investigators Delivering The Answers You Need

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Free consultation

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Confidential

Private investigators who get the job done

When you need answers, we find them.

Whether it’s a cheating partner, a missing person, or evidence for your legal case, you’re dealing with something that’s keeping you awake at night. We understand that reaching out to a private investigator isn’t easy, it means you’re facing a situation that matters deeply to you.

With over 28 years of proven experience and a team of 200+ investigators, we’ve built our reputation on getting results while maintaining complete discretion. From private concerns like infidelity and missing persons to complex corporate investigations and surveillance, we handle every case with the professionalism and accuracy you need to move forward with confidence.

At UK Private Investigators, we see our role as more than just information gathering, we act as a trusted partner helping clients make informed, strategic decisions in moments that truly matter. Much like a solicitor protects your legal position, our job is to protect your personal or professional interests by delivering facts you can rely on.

We cover all major UK cities including, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol and Glasgow. We also handle international investigations, covering cases involving fraud, travel, due diligence, and asset tracing. All overseas enquiries are handled with the same level of care, legal compliance and attention to detail as our UK-based work.

When You Need the Truth, Not Just Suspicions

Doubt is exhausting. It can affect your sleep, damage your relationships, and hold back decisions you need to make with clarity.

Whether you suspect someone isn’t telling the whole story, or you need evidence to back your instincts,  not knowing can leave you stuck, frustrated, and vulnerable. That’s where we help.

At UK Private Investigators, we provide clear answers, solid evidence, and the peace of mind you need to move forward confidently. Whether it’s for personal closure or legal action, we help you take your next step with clarity,  not guesswork.

Professional Investigation Services Across the UK and Internationally

Find A Person

Use our service to find a person that you cannot find yourself.

Tracing Debtors

Find someone who owes you money with our specialist debtor tracing service.

Relationship Investigations

Obtain undeniable evidence that your partner is cheating with our specialist cheating investigations.

Surveillance

Our discreet surveillance service will provide irrefutable evidence, no matter what the case.

Due Diligence

Ensure you know precisely who you are entering into any business relationship with.

Process Serving

Experienced & efficient fixed price process servers.

Background Checks

Know exactly who that person is, despite what they may be telling you.

Dating Site Scams

Take steps to protect yourself against romance scams.

Insurance Claim Investigations

Fraudulent insurance claims are a growing problem throughout the UK.

Pre-Marital Investigations

Discreet Pre-Marital investigations conducted by our specialists – globally.

Data Recovery

Get important information that could help you, but isn’t accessible to you.

Many Other Services

We offer many other services – contact us with your requirements.

Our private investigation process

If you’ve never contacted a private investigator before, you’re not alone. Many of our clients are unsure what can be done legally, or whether their concerns are justified. That’s why we start with a conversation, not assumptions.

 

1. Free, confidential consultation​

You’ll speak directly with a qualified investigator who will listen to your situation and ask only what’s necessary. Everything you share is treated with complete discretion. There’s no jargon and no pressure to commit.

2. Clear advice & transparent costs​

We’ll explain what’s possible, what we recommend and what it will cost. There are no hidden charges or pushy sales tactics, just honest advice based on experience. From the start, you’ll know:

● What we can do
● What it will cost
● What sort of evidence you can expect

3. Investigation begins

Once you’re ready to proceed, we begin work promptly. Whether it’s surveillance, tracing, or background checks, we’ll keep you informed as needed. We handle every case with care and integrity and we don’t take on cases unless we’re confident we can help.

4. Evidence & reporting

When the investigation is complete, you’ll receive a clear, detailed report. This may include photos, documents, or other evidence, all gathered lawfully and suitable for personal, legal, or internal use.

5. Continued support if needed

Some clients require follow-up support, further checks or evidence for legal purposes. We’re here if you need ongoing help, with everything handled in confidence.

6. Complete discretion at every stage

From first contact to final report, your privacy is our priority. All investigations are carried out with total confidentiality, and we’ll never share your details or case information with anyone without your consent.

Trusted Private Investigators With Proven Results

With over 28 years of investigative experience, UK Private Investigators is one of the leading national and international private investigation agencies based in the United Kingdom. We are fully registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office and operate in full compliance with UK law, GDPR and the Data Protection Act. Our reputation is built on discretion, professionalism and a consistent record of results, with a success rate of over 98 percent across private, legal and corporate investigations.

Whether you need help tracing a missing person, locating a debtor, tracking assets, conducting surveillance, uncovering fraud or investigating infidelity, our team is here to assist. We work with law firms, insurance companies, HR departments and private clients across the UK, offering clear advice, fixed pricing and direct access to the investigator handling your case. You will never deal with call centres or receive vague updates, only honest answers and reliable evidence.

Our detectives are members of respected national and international professional bodies and are thoroughly vetted to ensure the highest standards. From the moment you make contact, you will be met with a sympathetic, friendly and professional response. Our London-based team is readily available for enquiries in the capital, and we operate globally through an elite network of trusted operatives.

No matter the nature or scale of your case, UK Private Investigators will provide a discreet, cost-effective and results-driven service you can rely on.

Low-Cost & Effective Services – Guaranteed

The cost of hiring a private investigator depends on the type of service required, the complexity of the case and the time and resources needed to complete it.

Private investigator rates typically range from £29.50 to £200 per hour, depending on the nature of the case and the level of expertise  involved. At UK Private Investigators, our services start from £29.50 per hour, with all costs explained clearly before any work begins

In some cases, a flat fee may be appropriate, particularly for straightforward background checks or fixed-scope tasks. Other investigations, such as matrimonial surveillance or complex tracing work, may require custom pricing based on the specific objectives and duration.

We believe in clear, upfront communication. That means no vague estimates and no unexpected fees. During your free initial consultation, we’ll explain exactly what is possible, what we recommend and what it’s likely to cost based on your needs.

We never cut corners on quality. Instead, we work with our clients to deliver effective, lawful investigations that align with their needs and budget.

Why hire a private investigator?​

Most people don’t contact a private investigator until they’ve run out of other options. Whether it’s uncertainty in a relationship, a legal issue without clear evidence, or a business risk you can’t ignore, a professional investigator provides answers you can rely on when the stakes are high.

Unlike guesswork or online searches, a licensed investigator uses proven methods, legal tools, and confidential access to uncover information that would otherwise remain hidden. That might mean discreet surveillance, tracing someone who’s disappeared, or gathering evidence for court.

Hiring a private investigator isn’t about suspicion, it’s about clarity. It gives you a practical way to confirm facts, protect your interests, and move forward with confidence. For many of our clients, it’s not just useful, it’s essential.

Cost effective - every time

Our fees are extremely competitive. Our 28+ years in the business, enable us to always keep our fees low and service levels extremely high. We are an award winning Detective Agency and one of the most professional in The UK (according to our clients). Contact us for a free consultation and discover why we are a repeat choice for many clients

Comprehensive background checks

We can find information about specific people very quickly using specialised tools and techniques, perfected over many years of investigating. Many of our PI’s will also spend much of their day uncovering background information on individuals and businesses across The UK and Europe.

Award winning & established

UK Private Investigators are an award winning, established and highly professional Detective Agency. Started in 1997, we have gone from strength to strength and count some of the UK and Europes best known companies, law firms and individuals as our clients.

Ready to get answers? speak to a private investigator in confidence

You don’t need to decide right now. But if something doesn’t feel right, whether it’s a relationship, a business matter or a missing person, we’re here to help you take the next step with clarity and confidence.

Speak to a private investigator today – free, confidential consultation.

Frequently asked questions

A Private investigator will have a very varied workload, with many specialising in areas of infidelity or finding people. We offer a wide and varied range of investigation services to our clients, from discreet people surveillance and background checks through to identifying fraud, conducting discreet and comprehensive due diligence investigations and tracing missing people, even pets.

We can find information about specific people very quickly using specialised tools and techniques, perfected over many years of investigating. Many of our PI’s will also spend much of their day uncovering background information by running background check investigations, asking questions and analysing information to assist with a case, conforming to general data protection. Take a look at our commonly asked questions.

Yes, hiring a private investigator in the UK is legal, as long as the private investigator abides by the law. Private investigators must operate within legal frameworks such as the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.
Legally, private investigators don’t need a licence or qualifications. However, it is beneficial to have some training or experience in surveillance.

In the UK, a private investigator can legally do a range of things during their investigation, including:

  • Access records – PIs are legally within the jurisdiction to carry out a background check on the person they are investigating. However, this is restricted to publicly available records like criminal records, court documents, and other public information.
  • Interviews – private investigators in the UK can find out information on a person through family and friends or word of mouth.
  • Surveillance – private investigators have a legal right to follow or track a person on foot or in a vehicle. This provides them with information regarding their case.
  • Direct and indirect interaction – this can involve directly interacting with the individual in question by going undercover.
  • Search licence plate numbers – PIs are able to search licence plate numbers for specific investigations, but there is a limit on how far this can be used.

Yes, private investigators can conduct background checks, making them an ideal solution if, for example, you want to find out more about the person you’re dating online.

Yes, PIs can use an individual’s social media accounts to gather information, however this information must be publicly available, they must not hack into a person’s social media account.

Private investigators are incredibly discreet due to the nature of their job. Using technology to their advantage, they may use encrypted communication, secure cloud storage, and digital tools to track subjects under the radar. With professional training, inconspicuous vehicles, and disguises, PIs are as discreet as they come.

Although PIs have a lot of flexibility in their investigations, there are some things that are illegal for private investigators in the UK:

  • Trespass – private investigators cannot step foot onto private properties without the owner’s permission. It’s illegal for a PI to break into a house for data.
  • Make arrests – private investigators aren’t usually allowed to make arrests.
  • Track someone with GPS – some conditions allow PIs to use GPS to monitor a person, for example if the owner of the car authorises the PI to use GPS tracking on it, however it is illegal without consent.
  • Retrieve phone records – private investigators cannot hack any type of technology such as phones, laptops, email, or social media.
  • Acquire medical records – other peoples medical records are not accessible to PIs.
  • Obtain credit information – PIs cannot access a person’s personal credit information, if they do, they will be breaking the law.
Yes, private investigators can testify in court, and the evidence gathered is usually admissible. Their testimony can be a significant factor in the outcome of a trial by strengthening a case or raining reasonable doubt.
A private investigation can range from a few days to a weeks or even months. This all depends on the nature of the investigation and the information required.

Private investigators can legally acquire:

  • Photos and videos from public places
  • Witness statements
  • Publicly available information such as from databases and social media

All evidence must be collected lawfully.

You may have tried online resources such as the voters roll to no avail. If this is the case, then talk to us, as we have access to multiple non-public sources, which enable us to find a person where others have failed and generally within a few hours. Our fees are very
competitive and service levels second to none.

If you need to find a person, get in contact with us and we will be happy to provide you with a bespoke quote. Talk to us for free on 0800 043 1754.

Recent Case Studies

Find a person

Finding a person for our client

The client wished to locate an old friend, who they had not seen for over 25 years. The importance of this was portrayed to UK Private

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Catching a Cheating Partner

Client suspected their partner of cheating – “all the signs” were there but they could not prove it. Their partner would constantly deny an affair, when

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private investigator in the UK

Uncovering the background of a potential partner

Situation: Client was chatting with a male on a dating site – she was considering meeting up but wished to establish some facts beforehand – for

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