The Crime Agents
Global
If you want to understand what’s really happening on Britain’s streets, you need to hear this.
The Crime Agents, the new podcast from the makers of The News Agents, goes beyond the headlines to uncover the truth behind crime that affects all of us. Why is violence rising? Why is public trust in the police collapsing? And what’s really driving young people to kill each other?
Hosted by two insiders who have spent their lives chasing the answers, this is your front-row seat to the realities of crime today. Neil Basu, the former Head of UK Counter-Terrorism Policing, brings unparalleled experience from the front lines of law enforcement. Andy Hughes, LBC’s Crime Correspondent, has spent two decades exposing the criminal underworld as an award-winning investigative journalist.
Each week, The Crime Agents dives deep into the stories you think you know - from foiled terror plots and unsolved murders, to gang culture, far-right extremism, and the tactics police use to crack the toughest cases. With over 50 years of combined experience, Neil and Andy don’t just report on crime - they’ve lived it.
For advertising opportunities on this podcast email: dax@global.com
The Crime Agents, the new podcast from the makers of The News Agents, goes beyond the headlines to uncover the truth behind crime that affects all of us. Why is violence rising? Why is public trust in the police collapsing? And what’s really driving young people to kill each other?
Hosted by two insiders who have spent their lives chasing the answers, this is your front-row seat to the realities of crime today. Neil Basu, the former Head of UK Counter-Terrorism Policing, brings unparalleled experience from the front lines of law enforcement. Andy Hughes, LBC’s Crime Correspondent, has spent two decades exposing the criminal underworld as an award-winning investigative journalist.
Each week, The Crime Agents dives deep into the stories you think you know - from foiled terror plots and unsolved murders, to gang culture, far-right extremism, and the tactics police use to crack the toughest cases. With over 50 years of combined experience, Neil and Andy don’t just report on crime - they’ve lived it.
For advertising opportunities on this podcast email: dax@global.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 7, 2025 • 21min
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 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 thecrimeagents@global.com or leave a question on social media: @thecrimeagents
Dec 2, 2025 • 37min
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 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
Nov 26, 2025 • 37min
The criminals making millions from Christmas
Cullen Mais, a reformed former prolific shoplifter, now collaborates with security firms to combat retail crime, shares his journey from addiction to prevention. Lucy Mitchell, an executive overseeing private security in London's shopping areas, discusses the staggering scale of incidents, noting that they handle about 50,000 yearly. They explore the shift from opportunistic theft to organized crime, the violent tactics employed, and the need for collaboration between private security and police to tackle the growing threat during the festive season.
Nov 19, 2025 • 41min
What really happens when someone calls 999?
Discover the shocking statistics on genuine 999 calls in the UK. Andy and Neil share hilarious clips of bizarre calls, from missing food to spider emergencies. They dive into the chaos of emergency response rooms, detailing how calls are triaged and the pressure on officers. Hear gripping anecdotes from Neil's career, revealing the emotional challenges faced by response cops. They also explore the consequences of hoax calls and discuss the impact of social media on police morale. This insightful discussion blends humor with critical issues in emergency response.
Nov 12, 2025 • 43min
When justice fails: why are rapists getting away with it?
Jade Blue McCrossen-Nethercott, a brave rape survivor and campaigner, shares her harrowing journey through a flawed justice system, where less than 3% of rape cases lead to conviction. Jade recounts the trauma of her own trial collapse due to the controversial use of 'sexsomnia' as a defense. The hosts discuss systemic failures, including police treatment of survivors, and explore radical ideas like removing juries from trials and using lie detectors. Jade's advocacy work aims to amplify victims’ voices and push for much-needed reform in the system.
Nov 9, 2025 • 19min
Why do men commit so much more crime than women?
Men account for nearly 80% of crime in the UK, and the discussion dives into potential reasons. Is it testosterone or societal factors at play? The hosts also tackle Prince Andrew’s vulnerability to investigations post-royalty and reveal how complex legal standards affect the prosecution of extremist views. They suggest law changes for tackling knife crime and explore the barriers women face in policing. Lastly, listeners discover why Nazi-themed activities often don’t meet terrorism criteria.
Nov 5, 2025 • 37min
"The police shot my mother" - one man's fight for justice
Lee Lawrence, the son of Cherry Groce, shares his harrowing firsthand account of the 1985 police shooting that left his mother paralyzed. He discusses the explosive community impact and the resulting uprisings across London. Lee opens up about the long-term trauma and his relentless pursuit of justice, including the struggles with legal aid and the significance of the West Yorkshire report. In a transformative turn, he chooses mediation to foster accountability and now collaborates with police for meaningful reform, aiming to prevent history from repeating itself.
Nov 3, 2025 • 38min
Special episode: could the mass train stabbing have been prevented?
A train guard fights for his life after a shocking stabbing incident in Cambridgeshire. The accused has a troubling history, raising questions about possible prevention measures. Discussions delve into the appropriate level of police presence on public transport. The hosts tackle whether the incident should be classified as terrorism and if disclosing the suspect's ethnicity was justified. Practical solutions to reduce knife violence are debated, along with the balance of safety and civil liberties.
Oct 29, 2025 • 49min
Armed response: inside firearms policing
Explore the intense world of firearms policing through the eyes of a former Met sergeant. Discover what it's like to respond to terror incidents, including the Westminster Bridge attack. Delve into the emotional challenges of providing aid to an attacker and the gallows humor that helps officers cope. Learn about accountability in high-pressure situations, and why some still choose this demanding role despite the scrutiny. Hear about the complexities of police investigations and the unique sense of pride and purpose in armed response work.
Oct 26, 2025 • 20min
Should NX121 have faced a murder charge for killing Chris Kaba?
In this week's Q&A episode, Andy and Neil debate the effectiveness of the IOPC: the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Last year, the watchdog controversially pushed for NX121 - the firearms officer who shot Chris Kaba in 2022 - to be charged with murder, only for a jury to return a "not guilty" verdict in near record time. So how does the IOPC work? And is it fit for purpose? Andy and Neil give their forthright views on the future of the organisation, and discuss the best way for police officers to be held to account for their actions.They also look at whether a toxic culture still exists within the Met Police as a whole, in light of the recent Panorama documentary which exposed widespread misconduct at one of London's busiest police stations. Is this just a few bad apples? Or is policing still a "boys' club" and are the problems systemic? Andy and Neil also talk about why there is less media attention given to stories about black children going missing, and whether this reflects more badly on the police, or on society as a whole. Have a question for a future Q&A episode? Email it to thecrimeagents@global.comFollow us on social media: @thecrimeagents
