Gosport murder probe: How long can police hold suspects for questioning?Â

Police have arrested a teenage boy, 16, on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident. 

Detectives are quizzing the boy and he remains in custody at this time. 

Police were called to Southcroft Road on Monday at 5.30pm and a cordon has been set up, neighbours have reported. 

But how long can officers hold a suspect before charging them? 

Here's all you need to know: 

How long do police to charge suspects? 

If a person is arrested by police they can be held for up to 24 hours before they have to charge you with a crime or release you, the government guidelines say. 

If the police do not have enough evidence to charge you they can release you on police bail. 

You don't have to pay to be released on police bail, but you'll have to return to the station for further questioning when asked.

Can police hold suspects for longer than 24 hours? 

If a person has been arrested on suspicion of a serious crime such as murder police can apply to hold them for longer. 

Police can apply to hold suspects for up to 36 or 96 hours. 

What is conditional bail? 

If police release a suspect on bail but worry that they may: 

- commit another offence

- fail to turn up at court

- intimidate other witnesses

- obstruct the course of justice

They can release the suspect on conditional bail. Which means their freedom will be restricted in some way, e.g. they can impose a curfew on you if your offence was committed at night.