What Happens After I Give a Statement?
The investigation continues after your statement, and a decision to charge can take time.
Sources checked 2026-09-17 to 2026-09-29
What happens after I give a statement?
Your statement is added to the investigation file, and the investigation carries on before anyone decides whether to charge you. Nothing is decided the moment you finish speaking [f2].
Knowing the next steps helps you stay calm instead of fearing the worst each quiet day.
Can you take a statement back?
The police can sometimes use a statement in court, and the rules on this are technical. You are given the chance to read and correct it before you sign, so it is hard to take back afterwards. That is why advice before you give one matters so much [f1].
If you gave a statement without advice and are worried about something you said, speak to a lawyer quickly instead of trying to fix it alone. What helps is being accurate and consistent. Write down what you truly remember, and do not guess to fill gaps.
What the police do next
In mule-account cases, the Commercial Crime Investigation Department keeps tracing transactions, checking bank records and comparing accounts [f2]. Your statement is one part of that work.
The case can then go one of three ways: a charge, no further action, or more investigation. There is no fixed timetable, so keep your records in order and easy to reach.
The freeze runs on its own timeline
Giving a statement does not release a frozen account. They are separate processes [f3].
A seizure order under AMLA section 52A lapses 18 months after it is made if no one is charged.
While it stands, ask a lawyer whether a section 44A application to release money for living or business costs fits your case. You have the right to that advice under Article 5(3) [f1].
If the freeze was made under s44, that application goes in writing to the agency that froze the account. A lawyer can prepare it for you.
Keep your statement reference
Before you leave the station, ask for the reference number of your report or statement, and keep copies of any notices you are given. With that number, you or a lawyer can follow up later without explaining the whole case again.
Being called back for a further statement can happen in an ongoing investigation. On its own, it does not mean things have turned against you.
Sources
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Can I change my statement later if I made a mistake?
You are given the chance to read and correct a statement before you sign it, so it is hard to take back later. If you gave it without advice and are worried, speak to a lawyer quickly, as Article 5(3) protects your right to consult one [f1]. Write down what you actually remember, and do not guess to fill gaps.
How long until I know if I will be charged?
There is no fixed timetable. After your statement, the investigating unit keeps working, for example tracing transactions and collecting records [f2]. A decision to charge, to take no further action, or to keep investigating can each take time, so keep your records in order while you wait.
Does my frozen account get released once I have given my statement?
Related pages
If your situation is a little different, these pages cover the closest topics.
Need a Lawyer for Your Frozen Account Case?
Request Lawyer ContactFor people seeking legal representation. For general information, use our guides and tools.
Independent information resource, not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice. Where appropriate and with your consent, we can connect you with an independent lawyer. Availability and acceptance of a case are not guaranteed. How referral works