Bedfordshire’s chief constable and PCC defend force’s involvement in TV programme

It comes after Luton Borough Council apparently asked Bedfordshire Police to stop working with the Channel 4 show because of concerns over its “negativity”.

According to the BBC, a leaked draft letter says the documentary series fuels “Luton-bashing”.

The programme primarily follows the Bedfordshire force as it investigates crimes in the town.

The council told the BBC the letter, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, was a “proposed joint letter” that would be sent to the police with the signatures of a number of local organisations that support its content.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the letter says: “Every week when this programme airs to millions of people across the UK, it fuels the ‘Luton-bashing’ we have become accustomed to, which further damages our reputation.

“This kind of negativity affects our community’s sense of identity and purpose, in limiting their perception of their own lives, relationships and opportunities.

“We feel that it is time for Luton to end this negative relationship with wider audiences and, if the programme is to continue, for another force to feature in it.”

However, Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst and PCC John Tizard said 24 Hours in Police Custody was a key part of their commitment to the public, being “a critical exercise in openness to build public trust and confidence”.

In a joint letter to Robin Porter, chief executive at Luton Council, they said: “We are passionate about showcasing the very best of our county.

“Policing requires the consent of our communities, and transparency and accountability are key to securing their trust.

“Over the past ten years this programme has had an overwhelmingly positive impact on the public’s perception of policing. It is regularly watched by audiences of more than two million viewers, with a large proportion being young people – giving us the opportunity to share crucially important advice and signposting as well as breaking down myths about crime being glamorous or a good lifestyle choice.

“It sends a categoric message that criminals will not be able to operate with impunity in Luton, or anywhere in Bedfordshire, and underlines our relentless commitment to bring offenders to justice.

“We believe the positive portrayal of policing in the programme offers substantial reassurance to residents that they are protected by an effective locally embedded police service.”

They added that research carried out by Channel 4 found:

• 98 per cent of viewers said it had either improved or reinforced their positive opinion of the police;
• More than 80 per cent of viewers agreed the series sensitively brought important but different issues to a mainstream audience; and
• 53 per cent of viewers said watching 24 Hours in Police Custody made them consider a career in policing (including more than 50 per cent of 16-34 year olds).

“These are important and significant statistics,” continued Mr Rodenhurst and Mr Tizard.

“While it is true that the programmes began as the daily business at Luton police station, we have worked closely with the programme’s producers to widen out to focus on key topics such as male violence against women and girls and serious and organised crime.

“Geographically too, the programme now covers the whole county, as well as Cambridgeshire, and has covered cases across the region through the Eastern Regional Special Operations Unit. In fact, since 2019 only a third of programmes featured cases in Luton.

“The programme gives us a platform to engage younger audiences in a way we simply cannot do through other means. We have seen increases in applications to join policing when episodes are broadcast, and that continues to support our ongoing recruitment drive.

“Knifed – an episode focused on the tragic murder of Azaan ‘AJ’ Kaleem – led to a special Parliamentary viewing where the issue of knife crime was raised. That episode has since been shown to hundreds of students with inputs from AJ’s mother, Roseann, who was recently awarded with the Knife Angel Community Award for her work with young people. We supported the council’s hosting of the Knife Angel which built on our shared commitment to prevent knife crime.

“In addition, episodes of 24 Hours in Police Custody have been used directly as training tools in over 30 schools and more than 18,000 nursing and healthcare students have watched it as part of teaching. To continue that support to young people, The Garden Productions, who produce the series, are in the process of setting up work experience opportunities with schools and colleges across Bedfordshire and specifically in Luton.”

They said the “ability the series gives us to reach victims of crime cannot be underestimated”.

“Many of our local partners have contacted us following episodes featuring serious sexual offences and domestic abuse to thank us for raising these issues on such a prominent platform, citing it as crucial to building trust and confidence in victims to come forward,” wrote Mr Rodenhurst and Mr Tizard.

“Indeed, the programme, and the work we do alongside on our social media channels and with the media, has delivered real life impacts such as increases in Clare’s Law applications and several sexual offences victims have come forward as a direct result of watching an episode of 24 Hours in Police Custody.

“Only in the last few weeks another police service has secured a successful prosecution of an offender after a victim recognised, she had been groomed from watching an episode of the programme.

“We value our relationships with our communities and partners. We have listened to the views expressed in your letter, and at our recent meeting, but remain of the view that 24 Hours in Police Custody makes a positive contribution to policing, transparency and public understanding of police work and supports our commitment to making Luton and Bedfordshire safer.

“However, in light of your concerns we will discuss with the producers to see what measures can be put in place to reduce any negative perceptions of the town.

“A strength of our relationship is that we can respect each other’s views whilst continuing to serve all our communities and demonstrate the positive joint work being done to keep people safe in Luton and across Bedfordshire.

“Our different viewpoint on this programme will not undermine that shared commitment.”