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Artwork for The Crime Agents

The Crime Agents

Global
Criminal Justice System
Crown Prosecution Service
Policing
Counter-Terrorism
Victims Of Crime
Judicial System
Shoplifting
Rehabilitation
Legal Aid
Covid-19
Assault
Gang Culture
Shamima Begum
Magistrates' Court
Prison System
Murder Charges
Youth Crime
Far-Right Extremism
Knife Crime
Counter-Terrorism Policing

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... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes73Founded10 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureTrue Crime

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Crime Agents

Latest Episodes

This week, Andy & Neil react to the scathing report into the Southport murders, the brutal knife attack by a 17 year old at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the summer of 2024 which killed three young girls and left many more severely injured and... more

In this week’s Q&A episode, Andy & Neil tackle the issue of drugs in prisons. How do so many drugs get in, are corrupt guards to blame, and would using sniffer dogs inside jails make a difference?

They also debate whether it’s time for football club... more

YouTube

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... more

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... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Paul McCrory
Director of Map Adventures; ex-military
Map Adventures
Episode: Special Investigation: Inside Britain’s illegal care home crisis
Tom Wall
Fellow reporter; Bureau of Investigative Journalism collaborator
Bureau of Investigative Journalism
Episode: Special Investigation: Inside Britain’s illegal care home crisis
Neil Lancaster
Former detective, specialist in undercover surveillance, and best-selling crime author
Author, former detective
Episode: Levi Bellfield: catching a serial killer
Neil Basu
Host/participant
The Crime Agents
Episode: Levi Bellfield: catching a serial killer
Victoria Baines
Professor of cyber security and online safety; former law enforcement professional
University/Former law enforcement
Episode: The manosphere: how dangerous are these toxic influencers?
Vanessa Frake
Former governor of Wyrmwood Scrubs, veteran prison service
Prison Service
Episode: Ian Huntley killed in prison attack: how and why?
Lib Peck
Director of London's Violence Reduction Unit
London's Violence Reduction Unit
Episode: Who’s winning the war on gang violence?
Sammy Odoi
Youth worker involved with the Violence Reduction Unit
London's Violence Reduction Unit
Episode: Who’s winning the war on gang violence?
Duncan Ferguson
Former footballer known for his toughness on the pitch, narrated his personal experience with a burglary
Everton
Episode: The gangs targeting Premier League stars

Hosts

Andy Hughes
Crime journalist and co-host with frontline policing insight; has served as a correspondent exposing criminal underworlds and investigative work.
Neil Basu
Former Head of UK Counter-Terrorism Policing and high-level crime/policing expert; brings strategic and operational experience to discussions.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 215 ratings
  • Excellent podcast

    I am loving this podcast. Interesting topics, well presented with some great guests.

    Remind me, who’s Jeremy Hunt!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rainey 467
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Jeremy Hunt - Really

    Really Jeremy Hunt - commenting on NHS - is he really the best you could do. He helped break the NHS.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jac-scot
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Rubbish

    Such poor low quality info and research - it’s basically made up

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    app user 1234455566
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Top podcast

    Really insightful podcast about crime by people who know their stuff.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    @josephhug
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • One sided podcast

    left wing opinions throughout

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Nickname@100
    United Kingdom7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Insightful, well-reasoned discussions with expert guests.
Great depth from two insiders; high credibility on complex topics.
Balanced yet critical take on policing and policy, not just sensational crime.
Excellent balance of journalism and law-enforcement insight.
Polarizing at times, but provides thoughtful analysis.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#24
United Kingdom/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#130
Hong Kong/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#147
South Korea/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#171
New Zealand/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#180
Denmark/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#188
Ireland/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why do men commit so much more crime than women?
Q: What are your thoughts on the role of cannabis in crime and how legalization might impact organized crime and policing?
Legalizing cannabis and taxing it could reduce profits for criminal networks, potentially decreasing organized crime activity that funds other crimes; it's a nuanced issue because legalization in some places can attract other enforcement and societal challenges, requiring careful policy design.
Why do men commit so much more crime than women?
Q: Can you explain why a man who displayed extremist Nazi symbolism and conversations wasn't charged with terrorism offences?
Terrorism charges require a high threshold; merely possessing extremist views or engaging in racist chats without public incitement or support for a proscribed group does not automatically meet terrorism criteria; other offenses like public order may apply if engaging in public incitement or violence.
Why do men commit so much more crime than women?
Q: Why are men responsible for nearly 80% of crime in the UK, and what explains the gender gap in offending?
Criminologists point to demographic factors, with a large concentration of 18-24 year old men driving higher rates of violent crime, plus biological and sociological factors that lead men to commit more serious offenses, while women are more often victims or coerced participants in criminal enterprises.
Why do men commit so much more crime than women?
Q: Why was the question about the Andrew situation relevant, and how would investigators handle high-profile cases where royal figures are involved?
There would be no special protection from investigators; the decision to probe would rest with the commissioner, and high-profile cases should be treated like any other with proper procedures, avoiding political pressure while ensuring transparency and accountability.
Why do men commit so much more crime than women?
Q: If you could change one law that you think would significantly reduce crime, what would it be?
A tougher approach to knife crime, such as a mandatory five-year sentence for a second offense of carrying a knife in public without a lawful excuse, to send a clear deterrent and disrupt the criminal use of knives in communities.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Crime Agents

What is The Crime Agents about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on crime, policing, and public safety from the perspective of two insiders with frontline experience. Across episodes, topics span counter-terrorism, gang violence, high-profile investigations, reform debates, and the interplay between policy, media scrutiny, and community impact. The format blends practical policing insights with investigative journalism, often featuring guests from law enforcement, policy, journalism, and violence-reduction initiatives. Notable strengths include a hands-on, experience-forward approach and a willingness to tackle controversial issues with nuance, making it useful for listeners who want actionable context behind headlines.

A standout aspect is the direct, first-hand framing—two hosts who ... more

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How many listeners does The Crime Agents get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Crime Agents?

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How many subscribers and views does The Crime Agents have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Crime Agents has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Crime Agents?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Crime Agents:

1. The News Agents - USA
2. The News Agents
3. The Rest Is Politics
4. Newscast
5. The Rest Is Politics: US

How many episodes of The Crime Agents are there?

The Crime Agents launched 10 months ago and published 73 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Crime Agents?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Crime Agents?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Crime Agents from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on The Crime Agents?

Recent guests on The Crime Agents include:

1. Paul McCrory
2. Tom Wall
3. Neil Lancaster
4. Neil Basu
5. Victoria Baines
6. Vanessa Frake
7. Lib Peck
8. Sammy Odoi

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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