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The Crime Agents

The Crime Agents

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If you want to understand what’s really happening on Britain’s streets, you need to hear this. The Crime 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. The 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. For advertising opportunities on this podcast, email: GlobalStudiosSales@global.comCopyright 2026 Global Politics & Government Social Sciences True Crime
Episodes
  • Are criminal gangs fuelling riots in France?
    Oct 22 2026

    Protests across France have turned into riots in many parts of the country in recent weeks. Thousands of people have been arrested and more unrest is expected this weekend. So are organised criminal gangs behind this outbreak in looting, arson and attacks on police? Andy & Neil discuss how likely it is that they are involved - and whether Putin's Russia could also be to blame for fanning the flames of the recent protests.

    They also look at the recent undercover investigation into Reform UK by ITV. The party has reported the broadcaster to police over the expose: so is this a legitimate complaint or a waste of police time? And could detectives even investigate Reform politicians over some of the racist language shown in the documentary?

    Andy & Neil also discuss the controversial CPS murder prosecution of NX121 over the killing of Chris Kaba, and Neil reveals the best and worst police forces he's worked with around the world...

    Have a question for a future Q&A? Send it via email to thecrimeagents@global.com or follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

    The 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.

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    23 mins
  • The Hatton Garden Heist: how 'one last job' fell apart
    Oct 19 2026

    Easter, 2015. A group of pensioners and grandfathers - which included some of Britain's most notorious and hardened criminals - attempt an audacious heist on the world's most famous jewellery quarter: London's Hatton Garden.

    They made off with millions in gold, diamonds and other jewels, thinking they had pulled off the perfect crime. But gradually, the police investigation turned from 'Keystone Cops' into an exhaustive, years-long pursuit for the Met's renowned Flying Squad.

    In this episode, Andy & Neil explain how the criminals' stories unravelled, how they turned on each other as rumours that one of them was a police informant grew, and how they were ultimately brought to justice. This is a tale of how what really would have been 'one last job' fell apart in spectacular fashion.

    And they also ask the harder questions. Why does the public often see heists as victimless fun, when the men involved had links to a murdered police officer and other serious crime? Who were the real victims in Hatton Garden? And what unconventional techniques are used to catch and convict career thieves?

    Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

    The 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.

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    43 mins
  • Q&A: Russell Brand... how do police investigate a case like this?
    Oct 15 2026

    How do police investigate a sexual assault reported years - sometimes decades - after it happened? In light of the sexual assault trial involving Russell Brand in which he denies the allegations, Neil explains how detectives test a victim's credibility, why reporting it to anyone straight away can become powerful evidence in court and what can be done to encourage victims to seek justice.

    Andy and Neil also take on prison overcrowding and whether more low-level offenders could simply be put under house arrest. The Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has warned of more than 100 tag breaches a day, with the vast majority of those caught simply released again. Is tagging a genuine punishment, or a system that's been handed to the police to prop up?

    Plus: if you're innocent until proven guilty, why do suspects' names end up in the press? Neil explains the rare occasions police do release a name, Andy reveals why reporters often sit on names they already have, and they discuss how naming a charged suspect can bring more victims forward.

    And finally, a question they couldn't resist: what frightens criminals more, armed police or dog units?

    Have a question for a future Q&A? Send it via email to thecrimeagents@global.com or follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents

    The 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.

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    27 mins
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love the insider perspective of crime in the UK. Highly recommended, must listen! Great work!

So interesting with incredible stories

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I am already hooked on this podcast I enjoyed the first two episodes so much I downloaded Neil's book and listened to that too. The right level of interest and suspence I highly recommend.

Really easy to listen to and super interesting

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Great background to what you don’t get in the media with technical underpinning that supports the understanding of the police force and how process is carried out. Overall very well presented

Great technical and structural information

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