The Crime Agents

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 Britain’s most notorious police investigations: the undercover “honeytrap” operation used against Colin Stagg after the murder of Rachel Nickell. Would controversial tactics like that still be used today?Plus, Andy gives a firm answer on whether prisoners should have the vote, and he & Neil share some of the most bizarre moments from their careers - including how Andy ended up appearing in an episode of Top Boy.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagentsThe Crime Agents is a Global production, available every Monday and Thursday on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

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 questioning why Worboys was never charged with attempted murder as well as rapes and sexual assaults.Becki explains why she and so many other survivors were initially reluctant to go to the police, as well as describing the police failures she's had to deal with in the last few years. Later, they discuss whether this case has fundamentally changed the way the authorities deal with victims of sexual crimes, and whether someone like Worboys could still get away with similar crimes today.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagentsThe Crime Agents is a Global production, available every Monday and Thursday on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

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 the biggest in British history, why political interference is making the police's job so much harder, and why Trump's US Justice Department is yet to hand over key, unredacted documents from the Epstein Files. Plus, Neil gives an insight into what it will be like for the detectives working on this case to have the eyes of the world following their every move.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagentsThe Crime Agents is a Global production, available every Monday and Thursday on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

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 10 year olds became Britain's youngest-ever convicted murderers, and becomes emotional when describing the impact that covering this shocking case continues to have on her to this day. She also tries to answer a question that has troubled the country ever since: why did they do it?Andy, Neil & Shelagh also discuss James's legacy, the campaigning work done by his mother Denise, and whether it was right for Venables & Thompson to be tried as adults and held criminally responsible for their actions. They explain why this case still matters decades later, and ask whether society has learned the right lessons from a crime that still haunts the country to this day.Warning: please note this episode includes content that some listeners might find distressing.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagentsThe Crime Agents is a Global production, available every Monday and Thursday on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

'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 found it so difficult to tackle this problem, and Andy reveals why journalists sometimes seem to have more success in tracking down these people smugglers than the police.Later, they discuss 'Legends', the new streaming hit which tells the stories of customs officers going undercover to tackle drug gangs in the 90s. Is the show realistic? Just how difficult is it for police, border force, or even journalists to go undercover? Plus, Andy & Neil unpick why there has been so little coverage of the investigations into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson since their arrests, and they also reveal who first had the idea for The Crime Agents...Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagentsThe Crime Agents is a Global production, available every Monday and Thursday on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

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 while he was still alive.They ask the uncomfortable questions: was Al Fayed treated differently just because he was a billionaire businessman? Why were the police and Harrods happy to cover up his abuse for so long? And what are the chances of any of those who were complicit in his crimes ever facing justice?Warning: please note this episode includes a survivor's account of sexual assault.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagentsThe Crime Agents is a Global production, available every Monday and Thursday on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

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 Palestine Action.They also explain how long the potential sentences Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson could face, if they were to be found guilty of Misconduct in Public Office. For now, both men deny any wrongdoing and no charges have been brought.Andy & Neil also reveal how they don't allow themselves to get emotional even when covering or responding to serious crimes and terror attacks, plus they break down why senior police officers often sound like politicians when they speak in public.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagentsHave a question for a future Q&A episode? Send it by email to [email protected] Crime Agents is a Global production, available every Monday and Thursday on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

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 society as a whole can work together to tackle what has become a national crisis.Andy & Neil also both respond furiously to Green Party leader Zack Polanski's criticism of the police officers who arrested the suspected terrorist, and they explain what difference more funding will make to protecting the UK's Jewish community.Later, they're joined by former Prevent practitioner Charlotte Littlewood, who explains how the terror suspect would have slipped through the scheme's net when he was referred back in 2020.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagentsThe Crime Agents is a Global production, available every Monday and Thursday on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

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 antisemitism. Please note, this episode was recorded before the Golders Green terror attack on 29th April.They also give their view on whether Russell Brand - who is set to go on trial for rape and other sexual offences and who denies all charges - should be allowed to give a series of high-profile interviews to promote his book when he is facing such serious accusations.Later, Andy and Neil reveal some of the reasons why deaths from knife crime were down 21% in the last year, and who's legally responsible if a driverless car causes an accident.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagentsThe Crime Agents is a Global production, available every Monday and Thursday on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

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 played in helping to convict David Norris and Gary Dobson of Stephen Lawrence's murder.They also explain how developments in forensics and the abolition of the 'double jeopardy' law played a vital part in bringing two of Stephen's killers to justice, and Neil gives his view on whether any of the other murderers are ever likely to see the inside of a prison cell for their part in what happened in Eltham 33 years ago.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagentsThe Crime Agents is a Global production, available every Monday and Thursday on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.

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 documentary on the manosphere wrong not to focus more on its impact on women? Andy gives a very personal response to this question, while Neil also explains whether there's merit to the argument that police treat some suspects differently to others, based on their race, religion and social class.Later, Neil reveals when he made his most recent arrest - and whether he ever misses putting suspects in handcuffs.Have a question for a future episode? Send it by email to [email protected] or follow us on social media @thecrimeagents

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 the former Royal.Scott also speaks candidly about what the former Duke of York was like as a principal and gives his view on whether fellow officers might ever have turned a blind eye to any criminal activity involving Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell.Plus, did Andrew's protection team even know about Epstein's convictions when the former Prince stayed at the late paedophile's house in New York in 2010? Scott gives his verdict, and later, Andy & Neil react to Scott's exclusive insights.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

'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 the last few years, and whether 'Paedophile Hunters' are a problem for police, or part of a solution.Later, Neil explains whether members of the public would be wise to attempt a citizens' arrest on a police officer if they suspect the officer is committing a crime, and Andy reveals what happens if a prisoner who's already serving time for a serious offence kills a fellow prisoner.Plus, Andy & Neil look at the role social media played in radicalising the Southport attacker, and whether this strengthens the case for banning children from using social media.Have a question for a future episode? Send it via email to [email protected] or follow us on social media @thecrimeagents

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 & Neil also clash over whether more individuals from the police, social services and mental health services should be held personally accountable for the mistakes which led up to these horrific murders - and discuss whether anything would be different if a similar attack happened again today.Later, Andy & Neil explain the remarkable news that the police watchdog is now looking into the whole team of detectives who bungled the initial investigation into a fatal school car crash in Wimbledon back in 2023. Could the whole squad face misconduct charges? And will we ever get a more satisfactory outcome to another tragedy involving the deaths of young girls?Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 discuss how to spot an illegal children’s care home, and whether there’s a solution to the police recruitment crisis.Have a question for a future Q&A? Send it via email to [email protected] or follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 frontline in the police and the military.Later, Neil reacts to Andy's recent investigation exposing illegal children's care homes and explains how the authorities can get tougher on the individuals running these businesses and exploiting vulnerable children.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 spite of having a history of violent convictions.Tom Wall identified MAP Adventures and tracked McGrory down to Cyprus. Andy confronts the man who owned the care home in question, and explains why criminals and abusers are behind so many of the unlicensed homes which have been appearing over the past few years.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 manosphere strengthens the case for banning social media for under 16s, and they explain why Martyn's Law - which requires all major venues to be better protected from terror attacks as a result of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing - has taken to long to be implemented. Later, find out why Neil never quite made the jump from Assistant Commissioner to Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, and the role that one Boris Johnson had to play in that particular story... Have a question for a future Q&A episode? Send it by email to [email protected] or follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 hear what it was like to tail this monster for days on end.Neil Lancaster explains how he felt watching such an evil character up close - and how the killer very nearly escaped police's clutches as the surveillance operation reached a dramatic conclusion.Neil L spent decades as a detective working on cases such as Levi Bellfield's, but he's now one of the country's most popular & successful crime writers. He tells Andy and Neil how he's used his real-life experience to create memorable characters and gripping plots - and gives Neil Basu a few tips along the way as well!Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 on policing and safeguarding in Britain, and whether someone like Ian Huntley would ever get a job as a school caretaker today. Later, Andy & Neil clash over why Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor still appears to have some private protection officers, and who should pay for them. Plus, they respond to a question about how highly trained police horses - and their riders - have to be to keep the peace at football matches and major protests. Have a question for a future Q&A episode? Send it by email to [email protected] or follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 counter-terrorism policing, and Andy reveals how some of the most shocking stories he's ever covered have links to the so-called manosphere.Later, they're joined by Victoria Baines, an expert in this world who's worked for law enforcement and major tech firms, to discuss whether criminalising misogyny would make any difference, and whether big tech actually cares about clamping down on this problem, or just about their bottom line.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 likely to increase the threat of a terror attack happening on British soil, and he explains how youth workers can play a significant role in cutting gang violence and preventing youngsters from embarking on a life of crime in the first place.Later, Andy & Neil take another question about whether Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was given a heads-up by police before his arrest last month, and Andy is put on the spot about whether he had ever been critical of Neil before they started making this podcast together...Have a question for a future Q&A episode? Send it via email to [email protected] or follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 inside jails really works.They're joined by Vanessa Frake, a former prison Governor, who tells some alarming stories of overcrowding, drug use, and violence from her decades of firsthand experience. She reveals why Huntley would have been a target for fellow prisoners, and whether the problem is likely to get better or worse in the years to come.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 if they had been allowed to walk free?Andy & Neil also discuss some of the dangerous situations they've found themselves in during their careers, from receiving death threats from gang leaders to needing police protection after going undercover. They explain how their families and friends have reacted to them finding themselves in those situations, and what advice they'd give to anyone else following in their footsteps. Plus, Andy goes on a passionate rant in response to a question about controversial 'police auditors' - individuals who film their interactions with officers trying to do their jobs.Have a question for a future Q&A episode? Send it via email to [email protected], or follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 IRGC - the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps - has used sleeper cells and highly trained agents to cause chaos across the West over the last few years, and how British counter-terrorism police & the security services will have gone into overdrive since the conflict broke out over the weekend.Andy & Neil also talk through how any decision on whether or not to raise the UK's terror threat level will be made, and later they discuss Palestine Action for the first time since the High Court ruled last month that the government's decision to proscribe the group was 'unlawful'.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 Sieg Heil - aka a Hitler salute - isn't technically illegal in the UK and many other countries.Later, Neil is forced to explain to Andy that he's been the victim of a wind-up by police officers over whether they are fined for running red lights while responding to an emergency call.Have a question for a future Q&A episode? Send it via email to [email protected] or follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 youngsters.But across the country, more areas are using specialist taskforces and alternative approaches to tackle the problem, and are seeing some spectacular results. Andy & Neil are joined by Lib Peck, the Director of London's Violence Reduction Unit, and Sammy Odoi, a youth worker who works with kids at risk of falling into a life of crime, to hear firsthand how these units work, and why the tactic seems to be working in London.Is this a template for success which can be copied around the UK, and help to end the tragedy of young people killing each other for no good reason?Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 whether his comments crossed a legal line and could be considered hate speech. Plus, Andy reveals counter-terrorism officers' surprising choice of footwear, and Neil gives his view on when police should close missing persons investigations. NB. This episode was recorded before Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was arrested.Have a question for a future episode? Send it via email to [email protected] or follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 Andrew have had a mugshot taken and will he have been kept in a police cell? Will he benefit from any special treatment? And what's the maximum sentence he could face if he's found guilty of this crime?Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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. Priceless jewellery displays cleared before police even arrive. Millions in watches, diamonds and cash disappearing into criminal networks that stretch far beyond Britain’s borders.So who are these criminal gangs? How do they choose their targets? And where does the money go?

The Crime Agents listeners, we've got a new podcast we think you'll love.Step inside sport’s greatest soap opera, Formula One, with a brand-new podcast Up To Speed. Hosted by Drive to Survive star Will Buxton, racing driver-turned-broadcaster Naomi Schiff, 13-time Grand Prix winner David Coulthard, and F1 content creator Jolie Sharpe.Expect razor-sharp reaction, behind-the-scenes insight, blockbuster interviews and answers to the questions you’ve always wanted to ask! With their deep knowledge, expert analysis and infectious love for racing, Will, Naomi, DC & Jolie dive into the stories that matter - on and off the track.It’s fast-paced, unfiltered and full of the gossip that keeps the paddock buzzing.They’ll react to the weekend's race drama every Monday. On Thursday they’ll deep dive into the biggest stories of the week. Watch and listen to episode 1 now on Global Player, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

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, Ukrainian police, and a big slice of luck. Andy also asks Richie about the impact this incident had on him and his family, and how the experience compared to his many other dangerous encounters during decades of working in warzones and serving in the Royal Marines. Andy & Neil will be back with a Q&A bonus episode next week. Have a question? Send it by email to [email protected] or follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 working with their US counterparts to secure the evidence they need from the Epstein Files.Andy and Lewis also look back at previous occasions, such as Partygate, when politics and policing have collided, and discuss whether it's true that powerful people are often treated differently by the justice system. They also examine the latest allegations against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and ask: will there ever be a formal police investigation into the former Prince?Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 whether better leadership could have saved his job. They also respond to a question about whether Andrew Mountbatten Windsor's personal protection officer might have useful information relating to the latest allegations against the former Prince, and react to one listener's suggestion that the new National Police Service will be "building Nigel Farage's deportation force for him".Later, Andy & Neil explain whether counter-terrorism police are keeping tabs on the thousands of people arriving in the UK on small boats.Have a question for a future episode? Send it by email to [email protected] or follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 politicians, to medical experts and influencers, have campaigned in support of Letby in the past couple of years. Among the most prominent people to call for a retrial is Sir Jeremy Hunt, who was Health Secretary at the time of Letby's alleged crimes. Sir Jeremy speaks to The Crime Agents about why he has doubts over the former nurse's conviction - and what he would like to see happen next.Lucy Letby: the UK's most sadistic serial killer? Or the victim of the worst miscarriage of justice this country has ever seen? Tune in to hear both sides of the case that divides the nation.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 detail of the law, and Neil explains why British Counter-Terrorism Police have signs up at airports asking travellers if they have any information about December's terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach. Later, Andy and Neil reveal whether the 'cake fines' seen in the likes of Hot Fuzz & Blue Lights are dished out as police punishments in real life - and whether they should be a thing of the past. Plus, they're asked about whether they are qualified to commit 'the perfect crime' by a listener Andy knows well...Have a question for a future episode? Email us at [email protected] and follow us on social media @thecrimeagents

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, given the plans will take many years to implement?These are some of the questions that Andy & Neil put to Policing Minister Sarah Jones in this special bonus episode, while Neil gives his own reaction to the announcements.Plus, Andy & Neil unpick Andy's exclusive interview with Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, the UK's head of counter-terrorism policing, and discuss whether we are more or less vulnerable to terror attacks now than we were 10 years ago.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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, and respond to any that slip through the net.In this episode, Andy becomes the first journalist to see inside the operations room at CTOC, and he sits down for an exclusive interview with the new head of Counter-Terrorism Policing, Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, who speaks publicly for the first time since taking on the role.AC Taylor explains the level of threat the UK faces from ISIS, who have been responsible for terror attacks in Manchester and Sydney in the past few months, whether the heavily-criticised Prevent scheme is fit for purpose, and if it's time for tech bosses such as Elon Musk to face greater consequences for allowing hateful material to flourish on their platforms.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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, the mother of Edward Cornes, a student who was found dead in a London hotel room aged just 19 in 2021. She describes the litany of police failings that blighted the investigation into his death, and explains why she believes that officers treated Edward differently because he was gay.Neil also describes some of the problematic, homophobic behaviour he saw from colleagues during his three decades in the police, and he and Andy discuss whether this form of discrimination can ever be stamped out of policing.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 crime gangs, and how the so-called 'top boys' can realistically be brought to justice. Plus they respond to questions about whether a former detective showed racial bias on The Traitors, and what makes Blue Lights the most realistic cop drama on TV for a long time. Have a question for a future Q&A episode? Send it on email to [email protected] or follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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, with Neil drawing on his vast experience of deploying covert units throughout his career, and answering the key questions about what he describes as 'one of the most difficult jobs in policing'. They also speak to James Bannon, a former Met officer who went undercover in the 1980s with Millwall's notorious football firm - and whose story was later turned into the cult film, 'I.D'.Later, Andy speaks to Alice Levine about her new podcast 'Explosive Lies' - part of Global's 'Unmissables' series.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 addresses how people become radicalised, and why it's vital for counter-terror police to have a proper understanding of the history of Islam to do their jobs effectively.Andy and Neil also return to the debate over juries, and in particular whether rape trials would be fairer if they were heard only by judges.Have a question for a future Q&A episode? Send it by email to [email protected] or follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 of intelligence at the NCA and an expert in global drug smuggling, to find out more about the role Venezuela plays in sending narcotics to the UK. Tony explains how likely it is that former President Maduro was running drugs cartels - as Trump alleges - and reveals how cocaine travels from remote parts of South America to the streets of London and Los Angeles.Later, Andy & Neil discuss who should play the leading roles when the Hollywood movie about this operation comes to be made.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 bizarre cases they've covered or been called out to during their careers, talk favourite cop movies and characters, and discuss their most memorable crime stories from 2025.Plus - find out whether it was Andy or Neil who once found themselves coming under attack from a two-seater sofa. Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 at risk to try and stop the attack.Andy & Neil also tackle some of the questions to have emerged in the past few days, such as: did one of the terrorists slip through the net of Australia's security services? Should the father have been allowed to keep his firearms licence after his son had been identified as a potential terror threat? And why did both attackers travel to the Philippines shortly before committing this atrocity?Later, Andy reveals why Tommy Robinson is the latest far-right figure to claim he has converted to Christianity, and explains why the Christian faith is increasingly being weaponised and politicised by those on the right. Andy also describes what it was like being at Tommy Robinson's Christmas carol service in London last weekend.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 are running some children's care homes, and also speaks to a victim of child sexual abuse to hear how these paedophiles exploit their victims - while those who are meant to protect them turn a blind eye. Andy and Neil also discuss why there has been so little investigation into grooming gangs in London - and whether the capital might have as big a problem with the issue as many towns in the North of England. Later, Andy reveals how he pieced together his special investigation.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 the allegations were recorded properly at the time - and why some weren't. And he and Neil discuss whether this issue may have been covered up by the Met Police. Tune in to hear a powerful story of alleged abuse by figures at the top of the establishment - and Neil's reaction to yet another potential case of a police officer being involved in serious criminal behaviour. And don't miss part two of this special investigation - where Andy hears directly from victims of child sexual abuse, and he and Neil discuss why children in care are so vulnerable to exploitation. You can listen to it here.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 differently. Andy and Neil also discuss the NCA: the National Crime Agency, sometimes described as Britain's answer to the FBI. Is it right that it's been asked to help stop illegal Channel crossings? Or will it distract the Agency from investigating drug smuggling and other organised crime? Andy and Neil also explain how police bail works, and reveal their favourite police dramas on TV today. Have a question for a future episode? Send a voicenote via email to [email protected] or leave a question on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 high - and debate whether getting rid of juries will really speed things up, or if it might end up leading to more miscarriages of justice. They also compare the UK's system to those in other countries, and discuss whether juries would have reached different verdicts in high-profile cases such as the ones involving Amanda Knox and Oscar Pistorius. Andy and Neil also reveal the other changes the government could make to improve our broken criminal justice system - and later, they look at the impact the thousands of arrests at recent Palestine Action protests will be having on that very system. Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 hard-up addicts and opportunists, to gangs with getaway cars and balaclavas?In this episode, Andy and Neil explore why shop theft has become so rife, and what needs to be done for the police to regain control of Britain's high streets. They hear from two experts on different sides of the problem: Cullen Mais, who was once the country's most prolific shoplifter, and is now reformed and working with retailers to catch thieves. And Lucy Mitchell from the New West End Company, which runs private security for many of London's busiest shopping streets.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents