The Crime Agents

• Death threats and the bomb squad: infiltrating the far-right

  Andy is one of only a very small number of journalists to have successfully gone undercover and infiltrated the far-right. In this episode, he reveals for the first time what happened when the group found out his true identity - and why he needed a visit from the bomb squad and around-the-clock police protection.Andy also explains why people are attracted to join these groups for real - and tells the story of what he was asked to do for his initiation into one of the UK's most dangerous far-right gangs. Plus Neil explains the history of the far-right in Britain, from Sir Oswald Mosley to the recently proscribed Maniacs Murder Cult and Russian Imperial Movement. He also talks about why the decision to ban the group National Action was so controversial when he was in charge of counter-terrorism policing in 2016. Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents on all major platformsGet in touch via email: [email protected]

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• Q&A: Were the police and journalists too cosy during the Lucy Letby trial?

  One year ago, Lucy Letby was convicted of murdering seven babies while working as a nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Many believe she was the victim of a miscarriage of justice - and in this week's bonus episode, Neil and Andy answer your questions on the idea that police were briefing against Letby to journalists during her trial. Andy covered that trial - so did that really happen? And can we have confidence in her conviction? Listen to find out what The Crime Agents think about the story that shocked the nation. Neil and Andy also respond to your questions about gangs: how much is social media used to recruit youngsters? Do teachers have a role to play in stopping kids from being exploited by gangs? And how common is it for women to play important roles in gang crime?Plus Neil explains why it's right that MI5 and the government aren't forced to reveal all their intelligence when banning groups such as Palestine Action. And finally - Neil and Andy both reflect on some of the most memorable cases and stories they've worked on in their long careers fighting and covering crime. Send in your questions for Neil and Andy via email: [email protected] us on social media: @thecrimeagents on all major platforms

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• Mission creep: Why are Britain’s police forces at breaking point?

  Police officers are increasingly forced to spend their time doing jobs they were never meant to - and that other public services are simply too stretched to respond to. This week, Neil and Andy discuss the intervention by Britain's top cop, Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, who's called for police to be allowed to focus on fighting crime rather than social work. Neil and Andy analyse what difference that would make, and whether the Commissioner has the Home Secretary's support in calling for wholesale police reform. The pair also reveal the mental health impact for officers who are forced to deal with situations they haven't been trained in. Plus, as the country marks twenty years since the 7/7 bombings, Neil reflects on the impact British foreign policy had on radicalising the bombers, and explains the lessons which still need to be learned from the tragedy two decades on. Follow us on social media: @thecrimeagents on all major platformsGet in touch via email: [email protected]

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• Face to face with a terror group

  Palestine Action – the extreme activist group that infiltrates and vandalises military sites and defence firms - is to become a banned terrorist organisation. But very little is known about its members or supporters.The Crime Agents host and LBC crime correspondent Andy Hughes went along to meet them as they protested outside Downing Street on the day MPs voted to proscribe Palestine Action. He spoke exclusively to former Labour MP Zarah Sultana, who this week quit to form her own party with Jeremy Corbyn.Andy and co-host Neil Basu, ex-head of UK Counter Terror Policing, debate whether members of Palestine Action deserve to be classed as terrorists.Andy and Neil also take your questions in this bonus Q&A episode.

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• Inside gangs: Why are children killing each other?

  In this week’s episode of The Crime Agents, investigative journalist Andy Hughes reveals the inner workings of Britain’s most violent street gangs.He’s joined by his co-host Neil Basu, ex Assistant Commissioner at the Metropolitan Police. He describes how it felt to come face to face with the criminal underworld.Andy and Neil explore why the children being recruited by gangs are getting younger, and why kids as young as nine are willing to kill.

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