Private Investigators
UK Private Investigators
Years experience
Confidential
Free consultation
Success rate
Trusted Investigators providing reliable, effective solutions
Free consultation
Confidential
Private investigators you can trust
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 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.
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.
Some of our private investigator services
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.
Discreet
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.
Background checks
Know exactly who that person is, despite what they may be telling you.
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.
Why choose UK private investigators
We’re a long-established agency with over 28 years of investigative experience and a verifiable trading history. Fully registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO),
our work is carried out in accordance with UK law, GDPR and the Data Protection Act.
But credentials are just the starting point. What really matters is results:
- 98%+ case success rate across private, legal and corporate investigations
- Hundreds of five-star reviews from verified clients across the UK
- Proven expertise in surveillance, tracing, background checks and fraud investigations
- Trusted by law firms, insurers, HR departments and private clients nationwide
Every client receives clear advice, fixed pricing and direct access to the investigator handling their case. No call centres. No vague updates. Just honest answers and evidence you canrely on.
How much does a private investigator cost
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.
The job of a private
investigator
Years experience
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
What is the job of a private investigator?
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.
Is it legal to hire a private investigator?
Do private investigators need a licence?
What can a private investigator legally do?
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.
Can private investigators conduct background checks?
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.
Can private investigators obtain information on a person through their social media accounts?
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.
Is private investigation confidential?
What can a private investigator not do in the UK?
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.
Can private investigators testify in court?
How long does an investigation usually take?
What evidence can legally be gathered by private investigators?
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.
Is it worth hiring a private investigator to find a person?
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
Finding a person for our client
Read More
Catching a Cheating Partner
Read More
Uncovering the background of a potential partner
Read More
AWARD WINNING PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS WITH OVER 28 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
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