The Crime Agents

• 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 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

  --------  

  36:46

  --------

  36:46
• What really happens when someone calls 999?

  What proportion of 999 calls in the UK are genuine emergencies? The answer will shock you. In this episode, Andy and Neil play you some of the most bizarre and ridiculous 999 calls which have been made in the last year - and explain why these hoaxes and time-wasters could ultimately be a matter of life and death. They also take you behind the scenes of an emergency response room to explain what 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

  --------  

  41:23

  --------

  41:23
• When justice fails: why are rapists getting away with it?

  Why do less than 3% of all reported rapes in the UK lead to a conviction? Andy and Neil describe that statistic as "shameful" and "a scandal" - and attempt to explain why a combination of rape myths and problems in our creaking justice system make it so hard to prove someone's guilt. Plus Andy reveals why one senior detective he's spoken to believes it's time to get rid of jury trials in rape 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

  --------  

  42:53

  --------

  42:53
• Why do men commit so much more crime than women?

  Men are responsible for nearly 80% of all crime carried out in the UK and make up over 90% of Britain's prison population. In this Q&A episode, Andy and Neil are asked: why is this the case? Is testosterone to blame? Is it down to a lack of critical thinking skills in young men? Or is it an inevitable consequence of a patriarchal society?Andy and Neil also explain whether Andrew Mountbatten 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

  --------  

  19:27

  --------

  19:27
• "The police shot my mother" - one man's fight for justice

  One day in September 1985, a dawn raid in South London went badly wrong. Police were looking for a man called Michael Groce - but they raided the wrong address, and ended up shooting his mother, Cherry Groce, who was left paralysed for the rest of her life. The incident led to an uprising in Brixton, and the anger soon spread to Tottenham, and even Toxteth in Liverpool.In this episode, Andy and 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

  --------  

  37:10

  --------

  37:10

Mais podcasts de Notícias

Podcasts em tendência em Notícias

Sobre The Crime Agents

The Crime Agents: Podcast do grupo