The following is a fictional story, created to illustrate the importance of ethical private investigations and legality.

‘Rachel’ and ‘Finn’ founded their private investigative agency with one clear aim: to work with integrity. Their decision was shaped by previous experience – and concern – over the tactics used at their former employer, ‘Hawkstone Investigations’, a once-respected firm based in Essex.

Rachel’s first day at Hawkstone had started oddly. Curious about the name, she’d asked, “What does Hawkstone stand for?”

Ben, the owner, feigned not hearing her and brusquely sent her to shadow a colleague, Finn, who was preparing to serve papers just outside Chelmsford.

Rachel climbed into the passenger seat of Finn’s Ford Focus, sensing tension already.

“Any reason I struck a nerve back there?” she asked as Finn pulled out of the car park.

“Hawkstone was named after two of the original founders – David Hawk and Simon Stone,” Finn explained. “They set up the firm in the ’90s with a third partner, Ian March. Real old-school operators.”

“So why did Ben blank me?” Rachel asked.

“Ben’s Simon Stone’s son. Took over the business about ten years ago. Since then… let’s just say things have shifted.”

Finn paused to navigate the roundabout before continuing. “When Ben came on board, he didn’t just modernise the equipment. He changed the approach. Ian March retired soon after. David Hawk walked away. Some say it was differences of opinion about methods. I’d believe it.”

Rachel stayed quiet, but listened closely.

“This job we’re on,” Finn continued, “the background on the subject – it wasn’t exactly obtained through official means.”

Rachel raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

Finn hesitated, then admitted Ben had used a fake customer service profile on social media to trick a woman into sharing her address and contact details – all in an effort to track her boyfriend, the target of their surveillance.

“That’s not just unethical,” said Rachel. “That’s illegal. Misrepresentation. Data breach.”

Finn nodded. “I know. I hate it. But I need the job.”

Rachel didn’t respond immediately. She was thinking. Hard.

They never served the papers that day. Instead, parked in a layby, Rachel and Finn had a frank conversation about their values, their experience, and the kind of work they wanted to be part of.

Within weeks, they’d handed in their notice at Hawkstone and launched their own agency in Enfield. They focused on building a business based on transparency, legality, and trust. Rachel and Finn are investigators who do things the right way.

As for Hawkstone? The company was shut down following an investigation by the Information Commissioner’s Office, acting on an anonymous tip-off. Ben Stone is now the subject of ongoing legal proceedings.

Professional, Lawful, Trusted

While this was a fictional tale, the message is true: ethics should be at the heart of private investigations. Trust is earned – and protected – through responsible, lawful investigation.

As members of the Association of British Investigators (ABI), endorsed by the Law Society of England and Wales and approved by the Law Society of Scotland, we operate under the highest standards in our profession. We never cut corners, and we always work within the law.

To discuss your needs with an ethical private investigation company, please contact us on 0208 191 3445 / 01392 278612.