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
Q&A: would the Suffragettes be labelled 'terrorists' under today's laws?
If the Suffragettes were campaigning today, would the law treat them as terrorists? It's a question that goes to the heart of how Britain defines political violence, and Neil - the former head of UK Counter-Terrorism Policing - takes on the uncomfortable comparison: where exactly is the line between direct action, criminality and terrorism?Andy and Neil also tackle the judge's controversial decisi
Cracking an 'unsolvable' double murder
A crime scene with nothing in it. A community that wouldn't talk. A suspect who turned out to be the wrong man. And a seven-year-old girl lying dead beside her father.The murders of Tony Byfield and his daughter Toni-Ann were Neil's first case as a Senior Investigating Officer. More than two decades on, he still describes it as the most famous of his career. In this episode, he takes Andy through
Q&A: Were police too soft on masked mobs in Dover & Portsmouth?
Why did a few hundred masked men appear to be treated more leniently than protesters from groups such as Palestine Action and Just Stop Oil? Were the police scared of the mobs in Dover & Portsmouth? Or was their 'light touch' approach justifiable given the lack of notice for law enforcement? Andy & Neil debate whether this was a case of 'two-tier' policing. They also explain why arrests at
Hillsborough: the cover-up that shamed British policing
Within hours of 97 Liverpool fans being crushed to death at an FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough, a story was already circulating: that the fans had done it to themselves. Four days later, The Sun printed an infamous front page - "The Truth" - and a lie that would last 27 years was set in stone. So where did that story come from, and how did it survive decade after decade of official scrutiny?Andy
Q&A: Digital ID mission creep, scrapping the 43 forces & are the CPS friend or foe?
When MPs talk about the death threats they face online, are they making a genuine plea for protection or building the case for something bigger? Andy and Neil take on the question of whether the abuse politicians face is being used to push the digital ID agenda, and where that leaves free speech. Would digital ID actually stop the threats? And what does Neil - a former head of UK Counter-Terrorism
David Carrick: why did nobody stop the rapist police officer?
PC David Carrick was one of the most prolific sex offenders in British history and for nearly two decades, he abused women while carrying a warrant card and a gun. Complaints were made about him before he joined the police, and again and again during his career, but he was only stopped after he had assaulted dozens of victims. So how did a man like this pass vetting and then stay on the police pay
Q&A: Harry & Meghan's security row, Middlesbrough crash arrests & the Lindsay Clancy trial
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle believe their family isn't safe in the UK. So who decides if that's true? And who should pay if the decision is made to give them police protection? Neil ran the Met's Royal Protection unit for several years and in that role was responsible for Harry & Meghan's security before they left Britain for America. Here, Neil reveals how the system really works and detai
Sarah Everard: the murder that broke trust in the police
In March 2021, Sarah Everard walked home from a friend's flat in Clapham. She never arrived. Her face went up on lampposts across south London, her name spread across the country, and within a week police had arrested a suspect: a serving Metropolitan Police officer.Neil reveals how he felt in the moment that he learned the suspect was an officer serving under his command. Andy was living locally
Q&A: Farage vs Essex Police, the Mushroom Murderer's appeal & London Falling
Nigel Farage says Essex Police warned him to stay away from the Clacton by-election count. Essex Police say that never happened. So who's lying? And why are politicians increasingly dragging the police into their political battles? In this week's Q&A, Andy and Neil tackle Farage's claim head-on and ask what it means for public trust when policing becomes a prop in politicians' narratives.They
Murders, stabbings, terror plots: are Britain's MPs safe?
Three British politicians have been killed in the space of a decade. Jo Cox. David Amess. And now Ann Widdecombe. How has political violence in Britain reached this point? And why are most of our MPs still unprotected?In this episode, Andy and Neil trace the escalating pattern of attacks on politicians in the UK, explain how police and the Home Office decide who gets protection, and reveal why the
Q&A: Kinahan in court & how police let Simon Levy kill
Daniel Kinahan - allegedly one of the world's most powerful gangsters - arrived at a Dublin court this week under near-unprecedented security. Was that level of protection justified, or was it theatre from the Irish state? And how was he finally extradited from Dubai, where he spent a decade hiding in plain sight? Andy and Neil explain why the Kinahan story has moved so fast, and ask whether his u
How police infiltrated Europe’s biggest drug cartels
Imagine a phone network built exclusively for criminals. Encrypted. Untraceable. Designed to destroy evidence at the touch of a button. For years, EncroChat gave drug cartels, hitmen and money launderers the confidence to plan serious crime openly, believing they were untouchable.They were wrong.Andy & Neil tell the full story: why EncroChat was created, how it became organised crime's communi
Q&A: PC Andrew Harper's killers, funeral director horror & why cops don't report their own
Two of PC Andrew Harper's killers will soon be eligible for early release. They were convicted of manslaughter after dragging a police officer to his death - and under the government's early release scheme, they could soon walk free at the halfway point of their sentences. Andy and Neil ask what this means for justice, for public trust, and for every officer putting themselves in danger on duty.Pl
Mark Duggan: the shooting that sparked nationwide riots
When a specialist firearms officer fired the shot that killed Mark Duggan in August 2011, no one could have predicted what would follow. Within days, a community protest in Tottenham had erupted into disorder across London - and then into the worst rioting Britain had seen in a generation.Was Duggan lawfully killed, or the victim of police brutality? How did the police lose control of the streets?
Q&A: Prison early release scheme, domestic abuse & how did Russia find the Skripals?
Killers and sex offenders were being lined up for early release later this year - until new PM Andy Burnham paused the scheme. Was that the right call? Can letting people convicted of serious offences out after half their sentence ever be justified? Andy & Neil debate the government's options as it scrambles for a short-term fix to Britain's never-ending prisons crisis.They also ask what polic
‘Are you ready to save a life?’ The reality of hostage negotiation
You've seen the Hollywood movies - but what is hostage negotiation really like?John Sutherland spent decades as one of the Met Police's most accomplished crisis negotiators. In this episode, he gives Andy and Neil the inside track: how it feels to have a life in your hands, what you actually say in those moments, and how he coped when things didn't go to plan.From talking down hostage-takers armed
Q&A: Child terror suspects, Hillsborough Law & how long do police keep fingerprints on record?
A 14-year-old boy was recently charged with terrorism offences. Were Andy and Neil surprised? Less than you might think. They explain what's behind the trend in terror suspects getting younger and why it should worry us.They also take on the new Hillsborough Law, which legally compels institutions to tell the truth in public inquiries. What does it say about policing and public bodies that the gov
The Salisbury Poisonings: the day Putin attacked Britain
Many people called it an act of war. The 2018 Salisbury Poisonings remains one of the most infamous criminal cases in British history - and Neil was the man who led the investigation.In this episode, he reveals how police, the security services and MI6 worked together to identify the Russian agents who carried out the Novichok attack, and why he still lives in hope of bringing them to justice.But
Q&A: Ann Widdecombe, the Flying Squad and should the IRGC be banned?
The UK government has finally proscribed Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, but what does that actually mean in practice? Andy and Neil break down what labelling the IRGC a terror group gives police and security services the power to do, and whether it will make any real difference.Neil also explains why Counter Terror Police may have taken over the Ann Widdecombe investigation, and reveal
Special episode: why Counter-Terror Police have taken over Ann Widdecombe investigation
Counter-Terrorism Police have confirmed that the killing of Ann Widdecombe was a 'targeted attack'. So how does an investigation like this actually work? Why did it take days for CT Policing to take over from Devon & Cornwall? And why did the local force publicly rule out a political motive, only to reverse that position 24 hours later?In this special episode, Andy and Neil break down what we
Q&A: Rochdale grooming gang leader & should sex offenders ever get early release?
The leader of the Rochdale grooming gang has been freed after just 14 years - and the government says it can't deport him. Andy and Neil dissect how Shabir Ahmed ended up back on British streets, discuss why the case has provoked such fury, and give their view on what should happen to him now.They also ask whether justice has finally been served after two teenage boys who raped young girls in Hamp
Lee Rigby’s murder: The terror attack that launched a far-right movement
On 22 May 2013, Fusilier Lee Rigby was murdered in broad daylight on a London street. His killers didn't flee, they waited, bloodied weapons in hand, and spoke to camera. It remains one of the most shocking terrorist attacks on British soil.Neil was a Met police commander in southeast London that day. He reveals what happened inside the Met's leadership team in the minutes after the attack, why it
Q&A: The Palantir block, tipping off MI5 & 24 Hours in Police Custody
Should a police commissioner publicly criticise the mayor who holds him to account? Sir Mark Rowley did exactly that after Sadiq Khan blocked the Met from working with Palantir, the AI company built on CIA technology. Neil explains the unwritten rules of police leadership, and why he understands the intervention, even if it breaks their relationship.Andy also responds to a listener who asks: why d
Nottingham Attacks: the failures that let a killer roam free
Valdo Calocane was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. He'd been arrested and sectioned for violent offences multiple times. He was known to carry knives. And yet on a June morning in 2023, he was free to roam the streets of Nottingham, where he killed three innocent people.In this episode, Emma Webber - mother of 19-year-old victim Barnaby - tells Andy and Neil about her fight for answers. She
Q&A: Andy Burnham’s police protection, Edinburgh machete attack & Peter Murrell's sentence
Andy Burnham looks to be on the cusp of becoming the next Prime Minister. In this Q&A episode, Andy and Neil reveal how police work out which politicians need close protection, and whether Burnham will automatically be getting extra security now he's back in Parliament.Plus, a knife attack in Edinburgh reportedly targeted Muslims and left five people injured, so why didn't it get more news cov
Manchester Arena bombing: the inside story of the terror attack that shook Britain
The Manchester Arena bombing was the deadliest terror attack in Britain in a decade. Salman Abedi killed 22 people - including children and teenagers - when he detonated a bomb at an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017. But how was he able to do it? And how was his brother finally brought to justice years later?Neil was a senior counter-terrorism figure at the time. He reveals how the security servi
Q&A: Social media ban, Belfast riots & why don't police believe rape survivors?
Hampshire Constabulary — the same force that arrested murder victim Henry Nowak as he lay dying — is now under investigation for dismissing a rape report made by one of its own officers. Andy reveals how that failure had devastating consequences, and he and Neil tackle the deeper question: why do so many police officers still refuse to believe rape survivors?They also take on the government's plan
Britain's most wanted: hunting down fugitives
Nearly 60,000 suspects skipped court in England and Wales last year. Thousands still haven't been found.Investigative journalist Matt Shea has spent months tracking down some of Britain's most wanted fugitives – from safehouses in North London to red light districts in Thailand – for his Channel 4 Dispatches film Hunting Britain's Fugitives. He joins Andy and Neil to reveal how he found people the
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
