The Crime Agents

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?

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

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 happens when a genuine emergency is called in: who answers the phone? How quickly are officers deployed? And who decides whether firearms backup is needed? Plus, Neil reveals the top three most memorable 999 calls he responded to in his days as a PC. Andy and Neil also discuss what it takes to deal with the unique challenges of being a response cop - and whether it's time to take tougher action on those who waste police time. Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 cases - and why using lie detectors could be part of the way forward. Plus Andy and Neil are joined by Jade Blue McCrossen-Nethercott: a rape survivor who was so badly treated by the justice system that she took legal action against the CPS - and won. Jade tells her story, including the extraordinary reason why her trial collapsed, and explains what she is doing now to work with police and prosecutors to improve the way this issue is handled. You can find a link to the Jade's website here.Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 Windsor is now more vulnerable to police investigations over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein - both in the UK and the US - now he is no longer a Prince and has been stripped of his Royal titles. They're also asked which one law they would change in a bid to cut crime rates and whether deterrent sentences work in the way they are intended to. Plus, Neil explains the surprising reason why taking part in Nazi-themed chat rooms and sleeping under a portrait of Hitler isn't enough for someone to be convicted of terrorism offences.Have a question for a future Q&A episode? Send it to [email protected] us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 Neil explain the background to the shooting of Cherry Groce and the riots which spread across the country in the autumn of 1985. They also speak to Lee Lawrence, Cherry's son, who watched as his mother was shot by a Met Police officer in her own home. Lee tells Andy and Neil the powerful story of his battle to get justice for his Mum, and why he's now decided to work with the police to help prevent what happened 40 years ago from ever happening again. Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 discuss whether more could have been done to prevent this tragedy from happening.Neil also breaks down why this incident does not classify as a terrorist attack - and he gives his verdict on whether the police were right to give details of the suspect's ethnicity so soon after he was arrested. Later, they debate whether the idea of having more of a police presence on public transport is a realistic possibility - and whether it would help to stop more attacks like this from happening in the future. Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

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 former sergeant in the Met's Firearms Unit, who gives them a rare insight into armed policing in the UK. He talks about attempting to resuscitate the terrorist who carried out the Westminster Bridge attack in 2017, being there on the night his colleague shot and killed Chris Kaba in 2022, and whether firearms officers are unfairly held to higher standards by the justice system.Just weeks after armed police played a key role in stopping the Manchester Synagogue Terror attack, this is a unique opportunity to find out what it's really like to serve in a role which feels more important than ever.Watch our episodes on YouTube and follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents