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The Crime Agents

The Crime Agents

By: Global
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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, 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. 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: dax@global.comCopyright 2026 Global Politics & Government Social Sciences True Crime
Episodes
  • The World Cup’s dark side: hooligans, ICE & terror threats
    Jun 8 2026

    The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest football tournament in history, but it could also be the most dangerous.

    Andy reveals the shockingly small number of British police officers travelling to the US for the tournament, and explains why that makes hooliganism and crowd trouble at England and Scotland matches far more likely. What happens when rowdy English football fans meet armed, heavy-handed American cops?

    Later, Neil breaks down the terror threat: why ISIS and other groups may see the World Cup as a target, and what he learned preparing London for the 2012 Olympics as a senior Met Police officer. Plus: could Trump's ICE agents pose a threat to Latin American and Middle Eastern fans attending the tournament?

    And back in Britain, how is law enforcement preparing for a summer of international football? From the predictable spike in domestic violence, to the challenge of policing fan zones across major cities, Andy & Neil give you the inside track on everything you need to know.

    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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    35 mins
  • Henry Nowak's murder: a policing disaster hijacked by politics
    Jun 4 2026

    Nigel Farage has spent all week trying to weaponise the murder of Henry Nowak for his own political gain. In this episode, Andy & Neil react to the shocking policing which saw Henry wrongly arrested as he lay dying, explain how the officers should have responded in that situation, and debunk Farage's claims that 'two-tier' policing is now prevalent in the UK.

    Neil gives a passionate & personal explanation of why those claims that ethnic minorities are now treated better by police than white people are so wide of the mark, and they discuss whether more unrest is likely to follow Tuesday night's riot in Southampton, which involved the notorious far-right activist, Tommy Robinson.

    Andy & Neil also analyse whether there is any truth to the idea that national police guidance needs to be reworded, and whether it's time for the law to change to ban people from legally carrying the kirpan, the Sikh ceremonial dagger which was used to kill Henry Nowak.

    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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    41 mins
  • Q&A: Police 'Honeytraps' & should parents go to prison for their kids' crimes?
    Jun 1 2026

    Should parents ever be held criminally responsible for the actions of their children? In the wake of the inquiry into the Southport murders, the government is considering whether parents who fail to act on serious warning signs should, in some cases, face prosecution. Andy and Neil debate whether that would be a fair and effective change in the law, or a step too far.

    They also revisit one of Britain’s most notorious police investigations: the undercover “honeytrap” operation used against Colin Stagg after the murder of Rachel Nickell. Would controversial tactics like that still be used today?

    Plus, Andy gives a firm answer on whether prisoners should have the vote, and he & Neil share some of the most bizarre moments from their careers - including how Andy ended up appearing in an episode of Top Boy.

    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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    25 mins
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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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