Private Investigator UK
Whether it’s a suspected cheating partner, background check, finding a missing person, old friend/family member, or evidence for your legal case, UK Private Investigators have the skill, knowledge and experience to give you the facts, evidence and closure that you need – at a cost you CAN afford.
We have earned a reputation for being a results-driven Detective Agency. Furthermore, we always ensure that every case is completely confidential. We have more than 28 years of proven experience and a team of more than 200 investigators worldwide. We handle every case with the professionalism and accuracy you would expect.
UK Private Investigators is one of the longest established private detective agencies and investigation companies in the UK. We offer a full range of private investigation services across the UK, for private clients, legal firms and businesses. Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.
We cover all of the UK’s biggest cities, such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Bristol and Glasgow. We also conduct investigations in other countries, looking into cases of potential fraud, cheating, 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
Searching for a private investigator? Our London-based team covers every borough quickly and discreetly. Whether you’re in Westminster, Camden, Southwark or anywhere in Greater London, get fast, reliable help today. We also cover the rest of the UK.
Doubt is exhausting. It can make it hard for you to sleep, damage your relationships, and keep you from making clear and concise decisions .
Not knowing the facts can leave you feeling frustrated and questioning yourself. Whether you think someone isn’t sharing the whole story or you need proof to back up your gut feeling, that’s where we come in.
We give you clear answers, undeniable proof, and the peace of mind you need to move forward with confidence. We will assist you in taking your next step with certainty, whether it’s for personal closure or legal action.
Detective Agency in London
Our team of highly experienced and results driven private investigators in London and across the UK, deliver fast, discreet results – every time.
UK Private Investigators have over 28 years of experience handling sensitive cases across Greater London and the UK. Whether you’re facing a personal issue, like a cheating partner or someone new entering your life or a business concern such as internal fraud or employee absence, we offer reliable, legally compliant investigations tailored to your situation.
We cover all major boroughs in London, including Westminster, Camden, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Southwark, and beyond. Every investigation is handled in-house by a qualified, professional investigator never outsourced, so you’ll always know who you’re speaking to and how your case is progressing.
Our London, National and International clients include:
- Individuals looking to verify a partner or trace someone
- Law firms requiring discreet surveillance or witness tracing
- Businesses and individuals needing background checks, due diligence or fraud investigation
- Landlords and letting agents verifying tenants or tracing prior tenants
If something doesn’t feel right, we’re here to give you clarity. Speak to a London-based private investigator today in full confidence.
Need a private investigator in London or anywhere else in the UK? Contact our local experts for a same-day response.
Trusted Private Detectives
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.
Our highly trained investigators are here to help you find a missing person, track down a debtor, find hidden assets, conduct discreet surveillance, uncover fraud, or catch your partner cheating. We help law firms, insurance companies, HR departments, and individual clients all around the UK. We give clear advice, set prices, and let you talk directly to the investigator who is working on your case. You won’t have to deal with call centres or get confusing updates; you’ll only get honest responses and credible proof.
Our private detectives are members of respected national and international professional bodies and are thoroughly vetted to ensure the highest standards. You will get a sympathetic, sensitive, and professional response right away. Our teams in London and across The UK are always ready to answer your questions.
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 – everytime!
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.
The hourly costs for private investigators usually range from £29.50 to £200, depending on the type of case and the level of skill required. from UK Private Investigators, our services start from £29.50 per hour, and we make sure to clarify all fees explicitly before any work starts.
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?
Hiring a private investigator gives you clarity and peace of mind when suspicions become too much to ignore.
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.
Professional Investigation Services Across the UK and Internationally
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.
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.
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.
Contact us
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?
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.
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.
We are here to help, 24/7 - 365 days of the year
Contact us now for a free, confidential, no obligation consultation