The 5 best private investigators in London to crack every case
A while back, a friend of mine started feeling like something was off in her relationship. Her partner was coming home late, acting secretive, and always glued to his phone. She didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but the feeling just wouldn’t go away.
After weeks of stress and second-guessing, she decided to hire a private investigator. And honestly, it gave her the answers she needed to move forward.
That whole experience got me thinking: A lot of people go through stuff like this, but don’t know where to start when they need help.
So, my team and I put together this list of trusted investigators in London. Besides speaking with past clients, we also conducted consultations to assess the kind of service they can provide.
| How much does a private investigation cost in London? Private investigation in London typically costs between £50 to £100 per hour, depending on the investigator’s experience and the complexity of the case. Some agencies also offer fixed-price packages. |
1. The Local Detectives
Address: 3rd floor, 86-90 Paul St
Phone: +44 7935 550105
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
The Local Detectives’ team is very qualified and experienced. Most of their investigators come from military, police, or government backgrounds, so they’re not amateurs.
Between them, they’ve got over 30 years of experience. This explains why they’re so trusted when it comes to sensitive cases.
They seem to specialise in infidelity and employee-related investigations. Based on what their clients have said, they’ve handled these cases with a lot of care.
People praised the team for being calm and reassuring during emotional and stressful times. One person who needed proof of cohabitation during her divorce mentioned the team looked into what would actually hold up in court.
That kind of honesty made them stand out, especially in a field where it’d be easy to take advantage of someone’s vulnerability.
They also offer a really broad mix of services, from traditional surveillance and GPS tracking to cyber investigations and background checks. So whether you’re dealing with a personal issue or something corporate, they seem to have the tools to handle it.
That said, their prices are a bit higher than the other agencies we’ve looked into.
They genuinely care about their clients’ needs
“I needed evidence of cohabitation during a divorce. The Local Detectives were honest, had great communication and only investigated what they knew could be used in court. They could have made so much more money, but they genuinely care about their clients’ needs and operate in an open and ethical manner. I would recommend these guys, they were amazing and I can’t thank them enough.”
Michelle Sarpong, Google review
I found Robert very professional and upfront and most importantly honest
“I wanted some answers to some personal. Issues and I found Robert very professional and upfront and most importantly honest. The prices quoted were competitive compared to other companies Ian’s I the service I received was excellent. I was kept up to date over a period of a month and I got the answers I needed mainly due to the plan that Robert suggested and executed. I would highly recommend this company and would use again in an instant if the need arises.”
Mell House, Google review
2. National Private Investigators (NPI)
Address: 71-75 Shelton St
Phone: +44 20 7459 4526
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
NPI isn’t just one guy with a camera. The team is led by Jack Charman, who has a serious background in army reconnaissance.
For us, that kind of experience sets the tone for how their whole agency operates. You get the sense that everything they do is well thought out.
They have over 40 trained investigators across the UK. It’s very impressive that they’re well-staffed to handle a wide range of cases, from corporate fraud to tracing missing people. It really made us confident in their ability to handle complex situations.
We also liked their approach to using both old-school detective work and modern tech. They do digital background checks and bug sweeps but also send people out for real-world surveillance.
We’ve figured this balance makes them flexible and pretty effective across the board.
The feedback from clients backs that up. One person mentioned that even with very limited info, Jack and his team managed to solve a case they thought was impossible.
That said, with Jack’s strong reputation, we get the impression he’s in high demand. If you’re hoping for one-on-one time with him specifically, you might have to wait a bit or be okay with working with someone else on the team.
He couldn’t have been more helpful and reassuring throughout the entire process
“Jack was fantastic, he couldn’t have been more helpful and reassuring throughout the entire process. I’d definitely recommend that anyone else considering it have a discussion with him about any concerns. He was great.”
Aliya Bernard, Google review
Jack provided comprehensive services from start to finish
“Jack provided comprehensive services from start to finish. I used him for an intelligence report and was impressed by the PII he uncovered online. He also conducted a boardroom bug sweep, both with clear, actionable recommendations that enhanced the posture. Highly recommend”
Jordan Kelly, Google review
3. Alpha 1 Legal Services
Address: 124 City Rd
Phone: +44 844 414 2131
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
Alpha 1 Legal Services works closely with lawyers. If you need evidence that might end up in court, they’re equipped to provide proper reports and documents that hold up legally.
It’s a significant advantage for them, compared to other agencies, as it’ll be very helpful for people in complex legal situations.
Everyone in their team also has a background in the police, military, or security work. We also found out they’re trained in using the latest tech and tools, so they’re not stuck in the old-school ways of doing things.
We also appreciate the diversity in their team. They’ve got both male and female investigators and people from different cultural backgrounds.
That might not seem like a huge deal at first, but when you’re dealing with situations that are culturally specific, it can help clients feel more at ease.
We also noticed how far their reach goes. Several clients told us they had cases handled in places like Hyderabad, Bangladesh, and Poland. It’s pretty impressive for a UK-based agency and suggests they know how to handle international work.
However, they’re not the cheapest option around. From what we gathered, their pricing reflects the high level of expertise and tools they bring to the table.
I would recommend them to any professionals out there
“Absolutely fantastic service from Paul and the team. I was kept informed all the way through my case and never had to ask anything. I would recommend them to any professionals out there.”
Philip Hutchinson, Google review
I was guided through the whole process
“I would recommend Paul and the company to anyone needing peace of mind. I was guided through the whole process of what I needed to know and what to expect at the end. Thank you so very much for your help!!”
Joan Quinn, Google review
4. Are They Safe
Address: 1st Floor, 2 Woodberry Grove
Phone: +44 800 019 9424
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
Are They Safe operates with a small team—likely somewhere between 2 to 10 people. For us, that’s a double-edged sword. On the plus side, smaller teams often mean more personalised attention.
Unlike big agencies where your case might be passed around, here it seems like you’re getting a more focused service. Clients said they’re very hands-on.
However, the small team size might be a limitation if your case is particularly big and complex. If you need something handled fast and on a bigger scale, it’s worth checking how much capacity they have at the time.
We loved how they use advanced tools and techniques. They’re not just doing basic background checks.
They offer high-level stuff like Technical Surveillance Counter-Measures (TSCM) sweeping. This tech helps detect hidden bugs or trackers. It’s pretty advanced for a private investigator.
They also seem to cover a wide range of cases, from relationship issues and child custody investigations to asset tracing. Based on what clients have shared, they handle both personal and legal matters with confidence.
We also kept hearing about Laura, who seems to be the head of the agency. A few people mentioned getting real-time updates from her during investigations, including photo and video evidence.
Very thorough and reassuring
“I contacted Laura regarding a suspected crypto scam. She was brilliant and, following a review of my documentation, produced a report of what had happened and suggested ways forward. Very thorough and reassuring.”
Peter Andrew, Google review
Excellent customer care and real-time updates
“Highly professional and reputable service. A huge amount of care and dedication goes into the service provided from start to finish by the female manager and her nationwide team of highly trained field intelligence operatives. Excellent customer care and real-time updates are provided during the investigative dynamic process. Great value for money service provided with stringent data protection implementation and rapid response, and results. The customer is put at ease throughout the whole delicate process. I would highly recommend ‘Are They Safe’,a private investigator UK. Thank you for making a difference in my life.”
Michael Singh, Google review
5. SPS Investigations Ltd
Address: First Floor Office, 3 Hornton Pl
Phone: +44 20 8154 3359
Business hours:
- Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
One of the first things we discovered about SPS Investigations Ltd is that they don’t just rely on one method to get information. They use a mix of tools and techniques depending on the case.
They have the resources and knowledge to handle a wide variety of situations. For us, this flexibility is very important, especially when every investigation can be so different.
We also appreciated their local knowledge. Their team is made up of Londoners, so they know the city inside and out. This helps them move quickly and discreetly when time is tight.
When we spoke with some past clients, they mentioned how approachable and clear they were throughout the process.
One person reported getting a detailed and friendly reply from Patrick within 24 hours of reaching out. This is actually faster than what most other agencies offer.
They also offer a pretty wide range of services, including infidelity investigations, corporate fraud, and even people tracing.
Of course, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Being a newer company, they don’t have decades of experience to back them up yet, which might be something some clients consider if they’re looking for an agency with a long-established reputation.
His service was fast, efficient, and affordable
“I reached out to Patrick over 24 hours ago, and he promptly provided all the information I needed. His service was fast, efficient, and affordable. After contacting several local private investigators, none gave me the personable impression that Patrick did. I wholeheartedly recommend his services—thank you so much!”
Nina Napoletano, Google review
Communication was seamless throughout the entire process
“Patrick and his team are professional, thorough, and discreet. Communication was seamless throughout the entire process. I was always kept informed, and I appreciated their transparency and honesty. Highly recommended.”
Diana Whyte, Google review