But when it emerged the Tate brothers were visiting the US, the CPS took the opportunity to act.
Prosecutors will now submit a formal application asking US authorities to extradite the Tate brothers so that they can stand trial in the UK.
The brothers, who hold joint US and British nationalities and boast connections with the Trump administration, can challenge the extradition request in the courts.
Joseph D McBride, the Tate brothers’ US attorney, claimed the arrest had been a “political hit job” and said it had been “greenlighted by a low-level functionary at the department of justice who never got approval from leadership”.
He said: “We are confident that once a competent judge sees the facts, and once the department of justice confronts this egregious abuse of its own authority, Andrew and Tristan Tate will walk free. America does not do Britain’s political dirty work.”
Asst Ch Con Karena Thomas, of Bedfordshire Police, said: “Officers from our major crime unit have been working closely alongside the Crown Prosecution Service and both national and international law enforcement agencies as part of this complex investigation.
“We understand the interest that this case will generate, but we would urge the public not to speculate and to allow the legal process to be carried out correctly.
“There is no place for male violence against women and girls, and we will continue to work tirelessly to support victims and investigate all reports made to us.”
The Tate brothers have denied any wrongdoing relating to all the allegations in Romania and the UK.