24 Hours in Police Custody

I've only seen the first two seasons and so far I really like it. It shows the day to day process that detectives go through to build cases. There's not the flash that are a big part of so many shows, just good honest police work. I want to see more. Highly recommended.

Gripping, unpredictable, shocking. A fantastic insight into the Police in Beds/Cambs. Unmissable TV.

Pure drama that challenges the perception of modern day police work and the modern day accused

Seriously well put together and makes a mockery of your typical policing programmes.

In its later series, '24 Hours in Police Custody' doesn't exactly do what is says on the tin, showing us instead police investigations as they unfold over months or even years. It's true crime, at its most honest and also most horrific; I like to believe in the basic good of human nature, but these episodes tell some pretty grim stories, and also show quite how hard it can be to secure a conviction. There have been sadly far too many terrible miscarriages of justice: here the police are the heroes, patiently assembling the evidence, treating the accused (on-camera at least) with respect, and not always succeeding in spite of their efforts. Even when they win, the words "happy ending" would be misplaced. I'm a little scared at the thought that if I was ever a suspect, I might end up being shown on television; but the series is a compelling insight into life at the very bottom of society.