24 Hours in Police Custody

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

Compared to all the other related shows, this one stands apart from the pact. The massive hurdles but the dedication is just astounding. This is a rare reality show that makes all others look like bad tv. They really are just amazing peeps

There are a lot of shows similar to this, plodding documentaries about airport staff and emergency wards, they all seem to be about enjoying a kind of mundane mellow-drama and invoking a sense of superiority as you watch tattooed morons getting caught trying to smuggle cocaine through customs or being treated after getting in a fist fight with their landlord or some other rubbish

this show is nothing like that, every episode follows either one case or a two or three cases, most of which are truly horrifying and you get to see how clumsy and clunky the justice system can be while also understanding that it has to be that way to maintain impartiality and fairness, it's a wonderful insight into a world that really matters.

I never would of heard of this show if it wasn't for Bob Mortimer's hilarious Athletico Mince podcast, I recommend both this show and the podcast highly

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.

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.