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The Crime Agents

The Crime Agents

By: Global
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About this listen

 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.comCopyright 2026 Global Politics & Government Social Sciences True Crime
Episodes
  • Terror attacks & warzones: life as a bomb disposal expert

    Terror attacks & warzones: life as a bomb disposal expert
    Apr 9 2026

    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
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    36 mins
  • Special Investigation: Inside Britain’s illegal care home crisis

    Special Investigation: Inside Britain’s illegal care home crisis
    Apr 1 2026

    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
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    28 mins
  • Q&A: Should all police officers carry Tasers & should kids be banned from social media?

    Q&A: Should all police officers carry Tasers & should kids be banned from social media?
    Mar 29 2026

    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 thecrimeagents@global.com or follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents
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    27 mins
All stars
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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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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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love the insider perspective of crime in the UK. Highly recommended, must listen! Great work!

So interesting with incredible stories

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