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The Crime Agents

Special episode: why Counter-Terror Police have taken over Ann Widdecombe investigation

7/14/202638 min

Counter-Terrorism Police have confirmed that the killing of Ann Widdecombe was a 'targeted attack'. So how does an investigation like this actually work? Why did it take days for CT Policing to take over from Devon & Cornwall? And why did the local force publicly rule out a political motive, only to reverse that position 24 hours later?

In this special episode, Andy and Neil break down what we know, examine how the investigation has been handled, and ask whether MPs and public figures need more protection than they're currently getting.

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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.

Clips

4,500 Bodyguards? Impossible Reality
Utter, Utter Bullshit
Britain Not Immune to Violence
Every Contact Leaves a Trace

Transcript preview

First 90 seconds

  1. Neil Basu· Host0:01

    [upbeat music] This is a global production. We're no stranger to political violence in this country. I think we look at places like the United States and the sort of crazy gun culture and the amount of violence that happens there, and we think we're somewhat immune. We've got to be very careful about the level of radicalization and extremism that is actually currently going on.

  2. Andy Hughes· Host0:18

    If detectives are looking into the motive, then clearly, surely high up on the list is political ideology. Why would the police seemingly rule it out?

  3. Neil Basu· Host0:28

    If we wanted to protect 650 members of Parliament with close armed protection, you'd need four and a half thousand more armed bodyguards trained tomorrow.

  4. Andy Hughes· Host0:37

    I'm not the only one baffled by the police communications. You're always on a hiding to nothing when you're saying this is policing at its finest. The idea- I'm, I'm gonna say what I think here ... Let, let... Wait there, wait there Utter, utter bullshit. Yeah, wait. Yeah, good. I like that.

  5. Neil Basu· Host0:50

    [gentle music] The Crime Agents.

  6. Andy Hughes· Host0:54

    Welcome to this special episode of The Crime Agents with me, crime journalist Andy Hughes.

  7. Neil Basu· Host0:59

    And me, the ex-cop, Neil Basu.

  8. Andy Hughes· Host1:01

    Neil, the killing of Anne Widdecombe is a tale that has had many twists and turns, and it's not even been a week yet. I think I'll start by laying out the timeline of events. Police believe Anne Widdecombe was attacked at a home in Devon at around 12:30 on Wednesday afternoon. Two days later, on Friday, Devon and Cornwall Police launched a murder investigation and said they were looking for a white male. Later that

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