The Crime Agents
The Crime Agents is a podcast that goes beyond the headlines to uncover the truth behind crime in Britain. Hosted by former Head of UK Counter-Terrorism Policing Neil Basu and LBC Crime Correspondent Andy Hughes, it explores rising violence, collapsing public trust in police, and the drivers of youth crime. Each week, the hosts draw on over 50 years of combined experience to analyze foiled terror plots, unsolved murders, gang culture, and far-right extremism. The podcast is a Global production, releasing new episodes every Monday and Thursday.
Episodes
Special Episode: Inside the Belfast riots
As Belfast burned on Tuesday night, Andy was there. In this special episode, he delivers a full eyewitness report from the riots: the violence, the racism, and the fury that erupted on the streets of Northern Ireland's capital.Andy & Neil explain how a horrific knife attack by a Sudanese man on Monday night led to calls for protest within hours, and how those calls spiralled into widespread di
The World Cup’s dark side: hooligans, ICE & terror threats
The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest football tournament in history, but it could also be the most dangerous.Andy reveals the shockingly small number of British police officers travelling to the US for the tournament, and explains why that makes hooliganism and crowd trouble at England and Scotland matches far more likely. What happens when rowdy English football fans meet armed, heavy-handed Am
Henry Nowak's murder: a policing disaster hijacked by politics
Nigel Farage has spent all week trying to weaponise the murder of Henry Nowak for his own political gain. In this episode, Andy & Neil react to the shocking policing which saw Henry wrongly arrested as he lay dying, explain how the officers should have responded in that situation, and debunk Farage's claims that 'two-tier' policing is now prevalent in the UK.Neil gives a passionate & perso
Q&A: Police 'Honeytraps' & should parents go to prison for their kids' crimes?
Should parents ever be held criminally responsible for the actions of their children? In the wake of the inquiry into the Southport murders, the government is considering whether parents who fail to act on serious warning signs should, in some cases, face prosecution. Andy and Neil debate whether that would be a fair and effective change in the law, or a step too far.They also revisit one of Brita
John Worboys: the true horror of the black cab rapist
Over 100 survivors of John Worboys' abuse have now come forward to police; but after the recent TV drama 'Believe Me', that number is still growing, decades after Worboys first attacked the women who were unlucky enough to get in his black cab. In this episode, Andy & Neil hear from survivor Becki Houlston, who tells her story, and that of another victim, which leaves Andy & Neil questioni
Special episode: ‘bombshell’ Andrew revelations explained
The police investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is back in the headlines. In this special episode, Andy & Neil react to the latest developments and break down why it's so significant that detectives are now considering looking at allegations of sexual misconduct by the former Prince as part of their ongoing inquiries.They also explain how this investigation has already become one of t
James Bulger: the story that shocked the world
James Bulger was just 2 years old when he was abducted, tortured and murdered by 10 year olds Robert Thompson and Jon Venables in Liverpool in 1993. The story made headlines around the world, and in this episode, Andy & Neil hear from LBC presenter Shelagh Fogarty, who followed the case closely and knows James Bulger's family well.Shelagh recalls what it was like to sit in the courtroom as the
Q&A: Hunting people smugglers & how realistic is 'Legends'?
'Stopping the Boats': a task which has now proved beyond multiple governments, with over 200,000 people crossing the Channel to reach the UK in the past eight years. But who are the people smugglers running this illegal trade? How do police attempt to catch the gangs who put people's lives at risk almost every day? Neil explains why law enforcement agencies from the UK and other countries have fou
Mohamed Al Fayed: power, abuse & cover-up
Just like Jimmy Savile, for years Mohamed Al Fayed used his power and wealth to commit hundreds of sexual crimes and get away with it. In this episode, Andy & Neil hear from Cheska Hill-Wood, a former Harrods employee and survivor of his abuse, about exactly how Al Fayed groomed victims and leaned on a network of corrupt police officers to ensure he was protected from prosecution and scrutiny
Q&A: Andrew, Mandelson & is Palestine Action support about to collapse?
Four Palestine Action activists have just been convicted of serious criminal offences, including criminal damage and GBH. Will this start to change public perceptions of the proscribed group? Will ordinary people look on them differently in light of this news? Andy & Neil break down what impact these convictions could have and discuss whether the government should have waited until now to ban
‘How Dare You!’ Zack Polanski vs The Police
A series of arson attacks on synagogues and Jewish ambulances in the space of just a few weeks. Two terrorist attacks barely seven months apart: one in Manchester and then, last week, another in Golders Green, North London. In this episode, Andy & Neil look at why there have been so many antisemitic attacks and incidents in Britain in the last few months, and how police, security services and
Q&A: The rise of antisemitism, Russell Brand & knife crime
As the number of antisemitic attacks on British Jews continues to rise, in this Q&A episode Neil explains some of the reasons why this type of hatred has become so commonplace on our streets, and how it has changed since his days as a police officer in London. He and Andy discuss whether more policing is part of the solution to the problem, and what role education plays in tackling antisemitis
Cold case: how the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence was solved
Britain was changed forever by the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence in South East London in April 1993. What followed was a story of police incompetence, institutional racism and, eventually, a cold case that was cracked and which led to murder convictions for two of the original five suspects. In this episode, Andy & Neil explain how cold cases work, and Neil reveals the personal role he pla
Q&A: Who declares terror attacks, what Louis Theroux missed & arson attacks on synagogues
In this week's Q&A episode, Andy & Neil discuss some of the recent attacks on synagogues and other Jewish sites in London. They explain who and what determines whether or not these incidents are declared as terror attacks, and Neil opens up on what it was like to be the person who formally announced a string of deadly terror attacks in the UK back in 2017.Plus, was Louis Theroux's recent d
Exclusive: Royal Protection Officer opens up on Andrew & Epstein
In an exclusive interview with Andy & Neil, Scott Hamer - a former Senior Royal Protection Officer - reveals what it's like to protect the highest profile people in the country. Scott worked with the former Prince Andrew at times, as well as many other Royals and top politicians - he responds to the claims that some of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's protection team may have become too close to t
Q&A: ‘Paedophile Hunters’, citizens’ arrests & prison killers
'Paedophile Hunters': vigilantes who attempt to lure and confront suspected sex offenders, before calling the police in an attempt to entrap them and have them arrested. But are these self-appointed groups a help or hindrance to the authorities? Do their stunts lead to more sex offenders being convicted? Or do they just waste police time? Andy & Neil explain how this phenomenon has grown over
Southport attack: who was to blame?
This week, Andy & Neil react to the scathing report into the Southport murders, the brutal knife attack by a 17 year old at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the summer of 2024 which killed three young girls and left many more severely injured and traumatised.They debate whether the ongoing public inquiry will lead to any lessons really being learned, or if these are just hollow words. Andy
Q&A: Drugs in prisons & who should pay for policing football?
In this week’s Q&A episode, Andy & Neil tackle the issue of drugs in prisons. How do so many drugs get in, are corrupt guards to blame, and would using sniffer dogs inside jails make a difference?They also debate whether it’s time for football clubs to contribute more towards the cost of policing matches - it currently costs the police over £70m every year in England alone.Plus they discus
Terror attacks & warzones: life as a bomb disposal expert
What's it really like to be a bomb disposal expert? In this episode, Andy & Neil explain how the police use these experts to defuse bombs and to save lives - and reveal why their services are called on more often than you might think.They're joined for an exclusive interview by Matt Middleditch - the head of Counter Terrorism Policing's 'bomb squad' - who shares his stories from decades on the
Special Investigation: Inside Britain’s illegal care home crisis
In this special investigation, Andy exposes the scandal of the hundreds of illegal children's care homes which are operating all over the UK. In a joint investigation with Tom Wall and The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, Andy tells the horrifying story of a vulnerable 15 year-old girl who was groomed & raped by two 'carers' at one such home, who were given jobs working with children in spi
Q&A: Should all police officers carry Tasers & should kids be banned from social media?
Figures show that over 100 police officers are assaulted every day in the UK - so is it time for them all to carry a Taser in self-defence? Can all officers be trusted to carry these 'less lethal' weapons? Neil draws on his experience as former national lead for Tasers as he and Andy discuss whether it is now time for more British police to be armed. They also discuss whether the rise of the manos
Levi Bellfield: catching a serial killer
Levi Bellfield was the first British prisoner to be sentenced to not one, but two whole life orders. He murdered three women, including the schoolgirl Milly Dowler, and was also convicted of multiple rapes and another attempted murder. In this episode, Andy & Neil speak to Neil Lancaster, one of the detectives who was a key part of the surveillance team which led to Bellfield's arrest, and hea
Q&A: Death threats, Soham Murders & why does Andrew still have protection officers?
In this week's Q&A episode, Neil reveals why he was once the subject of a death threat - and how one of his colleagues used some old-school tactics to deal with it. Meanwhile, Andy explains why the bomb squad were once called out to his house, and why he had to travel to work in a motorcade after receiving a death threat.Neil also goes into detail about the lasting impact the Soham Murders had
The manosphere: how dangerous are these toxic influencers?
This week, Andy & Neil take a deep-dive into the manosphere: a world of toxic misogyny and con artists. But where exactly is the line between influence and incitement? When does ideology cross a line into criminality? What more, if anything, can police do to stop these influencers from poisoning young minds?Neil explains how he saw this problem grow exponentially during his time as head of cou
Q&A: Filming police officers, Iran’s terror threat & how can youth workers stop gang crime?
After his rant last week about 'police auditors', in this week's Q&A Andy is challenged over his view and asked whether the George Floyd case in fact proves that officers should be filmed by the public while they're doing their job. He and Neil discuss this - and Andy has an update on police policy towards these 'auditors' from a source at the Met.Neil also explains exactly why the Iran War is
Ian Huntley killed in prison attack: how and why?
Ian Huntley, the notorious double child murderer, died last weekend after being attacked in prison. It wasn't the first time he had been attacked while he served his life sentence - and in this episode, Andy & Neil look at the growing problem of violence inside British prisons. They discuss how inmates fashion weapons for these attacks, why guards fail to prevent them, and how the hierarchy in
Q&A: Is it time to increase the age of criminal responsibility?
In this week's Q&A episode, Andy & Neil debate whether or not it's time to increase the age of criminal responsibility. It's currently 10 in England, Wales & Northern Ireland, but it's 12 in Scotland, and the UN recommends 14. Who's got it right? Andy cites the recent case where two 12 year-olds were convicted of murder in Wolverhampton and asks: would justice really have been served i
Does Trump’s Iran war make the UK less safe?
In this week's episode, Andy & Neil look at what impact the expanding war in the Middle East is having here in the UK. The Iranian regime has a long history of plotting terrorist acts and using proxies to hit targets on British soil - so will Keir Starmer's decision to allow the US to use British military bases to carry out strikes on Iran make us a target for retaliation?Neil explains how the
Q&A: Andrew’s arrest, the evidence against Lucy Letby & should Hitler salutes be illegal?
This week, Andy & Neil take your questions on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest, with Andy revealing the intriguing details he's been told by his sources about why the police search of Royal Lodge went on for almost a week.They also respond to questions about the reliability of the evidence used against Lucy Letby in the former neo-natal nurse's controversial trial, and Neil explains why the
Who’s winning the war on gang violence?
More than one child is murdered every week in the UK - but what if the solution to gang violence isn't tougher prison sentences or more stop & search? This week, Andy & Neil explain why the kids caught up in this violence seem to be getting younger, and Andy speaks to a gang member in the West Midlands - Britain's knife crime capital - to find out what life is really like for these youngst
Q&A: Tracking down Epstein's emails & was Jim Ratcliffe's immigration rant illegal?
In this week's Q&A episode, Andy & Neil explain how the police will be attempting to get their hands on the original versions of the emails in the Epstein Files as they continue their investigations into the likes of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson. They also react to Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe claiming the UK had been 'colonised by immigrants', and discuss whe
Special episode: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested
Join Andy & Neil for this special episode as they react to the news that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of Misconduct in Public Office after the release of the Epstein Files. They discuss why Thames Valley Police will have made the historic decision to arrest the former Prince, and explain what happens next.They also answer some of the key questions, such as: will An
The gangs targeting Premier League stars
In towns and cities across the UK, the wealthy are being watched. Organised criminal gangs are targeting millionaires, high-profile sports stars and some of Britain’s most exclusive jewellery stores. Not randomly. Not recklessly. But with precision.They research their targets. Track their movements. Study alarm systems. Map escape routes. Then they strike. Safes are ripped out in minutes. Priceles
Cheating death: ‘I was ambushed by Russian hitmen’
In this special bonus episode, Andy is joined by Sky News cameraman Richie Mockler, who tells the extraordinary story of how he and his team cheated death after being ambushed by Russians at the start of the Ukraine War in February 2022. Richie describes fearing for his life after being hit by two bullets - and how he and the team all managed a miraculous escape thanks to local mechanics, Ukrainia
Mandelson, Epstein & Andrew: when power and policing collide
In this episode, Andy is joined by Lewis Goodall from The News Agents to look at the ongoing police investigation into Peter Mandelson, the former Labour peer brought down by his extensive association with Jeffrey Epstein. Neil dials in from his holiday to explain exactly what it would take for Mandelson to be convicted of Misconduct in Public Office, while Andy explains how British police will be
Q&A: Andrew's bodyguard & was police chief right to go over Maccabi Tel Aviv debacle?
In this week's Q&A episode, Andy & Neil address the row which has recently engulfed West Midlands Police. Was the force right to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending their Europa League match against Aston Villa? And did Chief Constable Craig Guildford's mishandling of the crisis mean that it was right for him to go as a result? Andy & Neil dissect the mistakes that were made and w
Lucy Letby: time for a retrial?
Did Lucy Letby really murder seven babies, and attempt to murder seven more? This case has received global attention and has caused more public debate than any other in recent memory. In this episode, Andy & Neil debate whether, for the sake of public confidence in the British justice system, it's time for the former neo-natal nurse to be allowed a retrial.Many high profile figures, from polit
Q&A: undercover officers at risk from AI, cake fines & does the 'perfect crime' exist?
In this week's Q&A episode, Andy and Neil discuss whether AI is making life more dangerous for undercover police officers. Does AI put them at greater risk of their cover being blown? What extra precautions do they now need to take? Neil looks at what these technological advances mean for cops on the front line.They also debate whether it's realistic to expect police officers to know every det
‘Britain’s FBI’: how will it work?
As part of the biggest reform to policing in the UK for 200 years, the government has announced a 'British FBI': a new body which will focus on counter-terrorism and tackling organised crime. But what will it actually look like? Is this all just a money-saving exercise? Should Britain really be trying to copy American law-enforcement agencies? And will the reforms ever actually be seen through, gi
Exclusive: inside Britain’s counter terrorism HQ
In 2017, a series of terror attacks hit Britain, claiming dozens of lives - including children's - and sending a wave of fear across the country. The state's response? To build a brand new counter-terrorism operations centre (CTOC), a space where all the key security agencies: counter-terror police, MI5, MI6, GCHQ, the military, and the emergency services - could work together to prevent attacks,
Are the police still institutionally homophobic?
When Stephen Port - a serial killer who murdered four gay men - was finally brought to justice, the Metropolitan Police admitted that basic mistakes in their investigations had potentially cost some of the victims their lives. In 2023, the Casey Review described policing as 'institutionally homophobic'. In this episode, Andy & Neil ask: has anything really changed?They speak to Miriam Blythe,
Q&A: Should Musk be prosecuted over Grok & racism on The Traitors?
On this week's wide-ranging Q&A, Andy and Neil address the controversy over Grok, Elon Musk's AI tool which is widely used on X, and discuss whether the billionaire can be prosecuted over the way the tool has allowed users to undress women and young girls without their consent.They also explain whether it's realistic for police ever to go after the head honchos of drug syndicates and organised
The secrets of undercover policing
You've seen it in the movies, but what does undercover policing really involve? What makes an effective covert officer, and just how brutal is it for the men and women who are brave enough to go incognito? And do you get paid more for crossing the thin blue line and infiltrating the very people you're trying to convict?In this episode, Andy and Neil explain the realities of undercover policing, wi
Q&A: spotting a grooming gang, radical Islam & time to scrap juries for rape trials?
In light of Andy's recent investigation - which alleged that a former Met police officer was part of a VIP grooming gang - in this Q&A episode, he and Neil explain the signs to look out for if you suspect children are being groomed or exploited, and what to do if your suspicions turn out to be right.After December's horrific anti-semitic terror attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Neil also addres
Was Nicolás Maduro flooding Britain’s streets with cocaine?
The UK is the drugs capital of Europe, and more cocaine arrives here from Venezuela than from any other country. This week, in light of Donald Trump's operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Andy & Neil look at the impact this could have on Britain's drugs trade.Was Maduro really a narco-terrorist, like Pablo Escobar and El Chapo? They're joined by Tony Saggers, former head o
"I was attacked with a sofa" - tales from the front line
In this Christmas special, Andy and Neil ask each other the questions they've always wanted to know the answers to. Andy explains how the unlikely combination of cricket and being sacked by his Dad let to him becoming a crime journalist - while Neil reveals the full details of how he ended up as a chocolate salesman on his way to joining the police.They also recall some of the funniest and most bi
Bondi terror attack: the heroism and the horror
This week, Andy and Neil unpick last weekend's events at Bondi Beach in Sydney, where 15 people were murdered in an ISIS-inspired, anti-Semitic terror attack. Andy recounts the details of exactly what happened - while Neil explains how Australian Police and security services will be investigating. Plus they both pay tribute to the incredible heroism of Ahmed al-Ahmed and others who put their lives
The police officer who “groomed girls as young as eight” | Special Investigation - Part 2
In this follow-up to Andy's exclusive report (listen to Part 1 here), which revealed that a former Met Police officer has been accused of being part of a grooming gang by multiple survivors of sexual abuse, Andy and Neil take a deep dive into grooming gangs, and why children in care are so often the victims of this abuse. Andy hears from someone who works in the care sector, who claims criminals a
The police officer who “groomed girls as young as eight” | Special Investigation - Part 1
In this special episode, Andy exclusively reveals bombshell allegations of child abuse against a former Met Police officer, who has been accused of being part of a grooming gang by two different survivors. He tells a shocking story of children in care being abused by a VIP paedophile ring that allegedly involved an MP and a judge, as well as this former police officer. Andy explains why some of th
Q&A: Caroline Flack, best cop dramas & can the NCA stop the boats?
In The Crime Agents' latest Q&A episode, Andy and Neil discuss the way police and the CPS treated Caroline Flack, the TV presenter who took her own life in 2020. Did officers seek to make an example of her because she was a celebrity? Or did prosecutors have a duty to pursue the domestic assault case against her? Tune in to hear their verdict on how this tragic episode could have been handled
Jury trials to be scrapped: the verdict
The Justice Secretary has announced one of the biggest changes in hundreds of years to the way the British justice system works. Jury trials for crimes carrying sentences of three years or less will be scrapped - but will this really solve the deep-rooted problems at the heart of a creaking system? In this episode, Andy and Neil explain how the backlog in our criminal courts has reached a record h
The criminals making millions from Christmas
Christmas: for most of us, it's a time of joy and celebration. But for a new group of organised criminals, Christmas means opportunity. Retail crime and shoplifting have hit record levels in the last few years - and the festive season, including Black Friday, is when this issue is at its worst. So when did shoplifting go from petty crime to serious business? When did retail criminals turn from har
What really happens when someone calls 999?
What proportion of 999 calls in the UK are genuine emergencies? The answer will shock you. In this episode, Andy and Neil play you some of the most bizarre and ridiculous 999 calls which have been made in the last year - and explain why these hoaxes and time-wasters could ultimately be a matter of life and death. They also take you behind the scenes of an emergency response room to explain what ha
When justice fails: why are rapists getting away with it?
Why do less than 3% of all reported rapes in the UK lead to a conviction? Andy and Neil describe that statistic as "shameful" and "a scandal" - and attempt to explain why a combination of rape myths and problems in our creaking justice system make it so hard to prove someone's guilt. Plus Andy reveals why one senior detective he's spoken to believes it's time to get rid of jury trials in rape case
Why do men commit so much more crime than women?
Men are responsible for nearly 80% of all crime carried out in the UK and make up over 90% of Britain's prison population. In this Q&A episode, Andy and Neil are asked: why is this the case? Is testosterone to blame? Is it down to a lack of critical thinking skills in young men? Or is it an inevitable consequence of a patriarchal society?Andy and Neil also explain whether Andrew Mountbatten Wi
"The police shot my mother" - one man's fight for justice
One day in September 1985, a dawn raid in South London went badly wrong. Police were looking for a man called Michael Groce - but they raided the wrong address, and ended up shooting his mother, Cherry Groce, who was left paralysed for the rest of her life. The incident led to an uprising in Brixton, and the anger soon spread to Tottenham, and even Toxteth in Liverpool.In this episode, Andy and Ne
Special episode: could the mass train stabbing have been prevented?
As a train guard fights for his life and several other passengers recover in hospital, Andy and Neil bring you the latest on the story which continues to dominate the news: the mass stabbing on a train in Cambridgeshire on Saturday night. They explain that the man charged with carrying out those attacks has also been charged with an attempted murder on a train in London the night before - and disc
Armed response: inside firearms policing
Have you ever wondered how it feels to carry a firearm on the streets of London? Or what it's like to be among the first responders after a terror attack? And why do a small number of police officers in the UK choose to carry a gun, for no extra money, with all the added scrutiny and pressure that comes with the job?In this episode, Andy and Neil sit down for an exclusive interview with Will, a fo
Should NX121 have faced a murder charge for killing Chris Kaba?
In this week's Q&A episode, Andy and Neil debate the effectiveness of the IOPC: the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Last year, the watchdog controversially pushed for NX121 - the firearms officer who shot Chris Kaba in 2022 - to be charged with murder, only for a jury to return a "not guilty" verdict in near record time. So how does the IOPC work? And is it fit for purpose? Andy and Nei
The Louvre heist: how they pulled it off
Last weekend, a gang of thieves made off with hundreds of millions of Euros' worth of jewellery from the Louvre in Paris - including some of France's Crown Jewels. But how did they plan a job like this? How could the world's most famous museum be such an easy target? And how will the police be trying to track the perpetrators down?In this episode, Andy and Neil examine what we know so far about th
Q&A: Who killed Jill Dando?
In this Q&A episode, Andy and Neil debate what happened to TV presenter Jill Dando, who was murdered on her doorstep in 1999. Was she taken out by a professional hitman? Or was the Crimewatch presenter the victim of a random attack by a local criminal? Tune in to hear what Andy and Neil make of one of the nation's most notorious unsolved cases.Later, Andy reveals whether his investigative jour
Madeleine McCann: why the case remains unsolved
When three year-old Madeleine McCann went missing from a Portuguese holiday resort in 2007, it was a story which had the nation gripped for all the wrong reasons. 18 years on, the case remains unsolved - but the story still has the power to create headlines and dominate the news agenda. In this episode, Andy and Neil look at the key mistakes that were made early in the investigation by the local p
Phone hacking: the police vs the press
Once upon a time, the police and journalists were friends and allies. But as the phone hacking scandal unfolded, and it became clear that many journalists had broken the law in their pursuit of stories, the close relationship between police and press was shattered. Scotland Yard was forced to investigate and prosecute many members of the media with whom they'd been friendly - and officers were lat
The Crisis Room: Manchester terror attack - what happens next? - The Crisis Room
Today, Andy from The Crime Agents joined forces with fellow Global podcast The Crisis Room for a special episode to react to yesterday's terror attack at a synagogue in Manchester.If you'd like to hear more from The Crisis Room, find episodes weekly on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.What happens in the immediate aftermath of such an incident? Amber Rudd calls on her experience of
SPECIAL EPISODE: another crisis for the Met
In this emergency episode, Andy and Neil react to the shocking revelations in last night's Panorama, which exposed widespread racism, misogyny, and gratuitous use of violence within Charing Cross police station. Two years after the Metropolitan Police was branded institutionally racist, sexist, and homophobic, this plunges the country's biggest police force into yet another major crisis. Neil and
Is Stop and Search racist?
It's the debate which won't go away: is stop and search a vital tool for making our streets safer? Or is it a blunt, overused tactic which unfairly targets ethnic minorities? In this episode, Andy and Neil unpack exactly how stop and search is meant to work, why it's so valued by police officers - and why it’s such a cause of tension between police and the black community in particular.They're als
How the UK’s drugs trade really works
The UK is the biggest consumer of illegal drugs in Europe. From the British Pablo Escobar in the 1980s, to Albanian gangs taking over in the last decade, and a crack cocaine epidemic in between, Andy and Neil tell the story of how this shocking fact came to be a reality.They're also joined by Tony Saggers - the man who, until recently, was the head of Drugs Threat at the National Crime Agency. Ton
Q&A: Why is it so hard to secure a rape conviction?
In this week's Q&A episode, Andy and Neil answer your questions on why the conviction rate for rape and other violence against women and girls is so low - and give their verdict on whether social media and the 'manosphere' is making it more dangerous than ever to be a woman. Neil also explains why he thinks the way rape is investigated in this country needs to be fundamentally changed. They al
SPECIAL REPORT: What really happened at Tommy Robinson's rally
Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom march was supposed to be in the name of free speech.Around 150,000 people attended the protest in central London this weekend. The far right activist said he wanted it to be a family event with no violence or alcohol. Andy and the Crime Agents team went down to find out for themselves. This special report features the voices of the protestors on the march, and th
The secret world of child terrorists
In the last year, a child has been arrested almost every week by counter-terrorism police. That's a record - but why is this happening? And who is trying to radicalise these children? In this special episode, Andy speaks exclusively to an undercover intelligence officer to find out more about this shocking rise in minors being held on terror charges. Neil gives his reaction to the revelation that
The real life Line of Duty: how to catch corrupt cops
If you've ever watched Line of Duty and wondered how realistic AC-12 really is, then this is the episode for you. For the first time, Neil takes us behind the scenes of his four years working in anti-corruption units - and reveals the impact it had on his popularity among his fellow officers.Andy and Neil also examine why there is such a history of corruption within the police, and Neil assesses w
'Two-tier' policing: are cops tougher on some protesters than others?
All summer, Britain's police have been kept busy by a range of protests. From demonstrations outside asylum hotels, to marches in support of Palestine Action, thousands of people have taken to the streets to make their voices heard from across the political spectrum. But have the police handled these protests even-handedly?To answer that, Andy and Neil go back to the Black Lives Matter protests of
What’s the future of Notting Hill Carnival?
Notting Hill Carnival is Europe's biggest street festival. It's been a fixture of London's cultural scene for decades and it's attended by millions every August Bank Holiday. But the event also regularly attracts negative headlines, with several murders and many more violent incidents in the last few years. So should Carnival be allowed to continue in its current form? On the eve of this year's ev
Q&A: Should police reveal suspects' ethnicities?
The Q&A is back! In this week's episode, Andy and Neil answer your questions on one of the major talking points from last week: an announcement of new guidance suggesting police should reveal the ethnicity of suspects in 'high-profile and sensitive' cases. Is greater transparency a step forward? Or could this lead to more racial tensions in the UK? Tune in to hear which way Andy and Neil think
Cocaine and punching police horses: inside football hooliganism
You've seen The Football Factory and Green Street. You remember the chaotic scenes at Wembley for the Euro 2020 final. And for years you've heard hooliganism described as 'The English Disease'. But what is the reality of football hooliganism in the UK in 2025? This week, Andy tells the story of when he infiltrated one of the country's most notorious football firms, and Neil explains how even exper
Policing, politics, prejudice: 30 years on the frontline
In this week's bonus episode, Andy quizzes Neil on some of the most memorable moments from his 30 year policing career. For example, Neil tells the harrowing story behind his most memorable murder case - the 2003 shooting of drug dealer Tony Byfield and his 7 year old daughter, Toni-Ann - and the unlikely way he and his team eventually cracked the case. Neil also explains why being too outspoken c
Inside a Manhunt: on the tail of an armed drug dealer
When a criminal goes on the run, what do police do to try and catch them? In this episode, Andy is given exclusive access to a Met Police firearms unit who are on the tail of an armed drug dealer. Listen to find out exactly what happens when a manhunt starts - and whether the police can get their man.Later, Andy and Neil look back on one of the most famous British manhunts of all: when Raoul Moat
Broken justice: why criminals are getting away with it
Why are there 5 year backlogs in some of Britain's courts? Why are our prisons so full? And why doesn't any government seem interested in fixing the broken criminal justice system? In this week's episode, Neil and Andy look at who is to blame for breaking the system - and if it's too late for anything to be done to repair it.Andy explains the maddening reality of a day in court - and why Britain's
Is the far-right hijacking legitimate immigration protests?
Protesters gathered outside the Bell Hotel in Epping for a 5th time this weekend - and there were also demonstrations outside other migrant hotels in several more towns around the UK. Andy went to Epping to see the protest for himself - and to find out if the far-right is trying to exploit the legitimate concerns local people have about these hotels and illegal immigration. Hear what happened when
Q&A: Were the Sycamore Gap vandals given too long a prison sentence?
Can it be right that the two men who needlessly felled the iconic Sycamore Gap tree at Hadrian's Wall were sentenced to four years in prison? After all, that's the same as the minimum sentence for someone convicted of rape. That's one of the questions that Andy and Neil tackle in this week's bonus episode of The Crime Agents - listen to hear whether they think this is an example of a judge bowing
