Crime Scene – with Bernard Hogan-Howe and Alison Phillips

This time we look at one of the most heart-wrenching and complex cases of recent years – the murder of 11-year-old Rhys Jones in Liverpool. Shot while walking home from football practice in 2007, Rhys was an innocent victim of gang rivalries and his death shocked the nation. But behind the headlines lay a web of fear, silence, and intimidation. In the final edition of this series, former Met Commi...

This week on Crime Scene – a police force in crisis, collapsing trust, and lawlessness on the streets. How do you bring it back from the brink? We talk to the man who did just that – twice. Sir Stephen Watson, now Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, turned around two of the UK’s most troubled forces: South Yorkshire after Hillsborough and Rotherham, and GMP after it was placed under spec...

Small-time crime is out of control and to public anger, the police often don’t seem interested. A third of people have had their mobile phones stolen, shoplifting is at record levels and burglars seem to operate with impunity – but often all the police offer is a crime number and victim support. Former Met Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe and ex-Mirror editor Alison Phillips ask: Do the police need...

The disappearance of 3-year old Madeleine McCann in Portugal became a shared nightmare for parents, a press obsession and a seemingly endless search for police across Europe. How did the inquiries go wrong? Could new evidence lead to a conviction? With new police investigations under way and a suspect about to be released from prison after serving time for other offences, Bernard Hogan-Howe and Al...

British law on cannabis is bitterly controversial. Many say it puts young people and ethnic minorities into needless conflict with the law. London Mayor Sadiq Khan originally asked Bernard Hogan-Howe to lead the drugs commission that has just recommended decriminalising “natural” cannabis for personal use. Is Khan right to demand a change the law? Bernard and former Mirror editor Alison Phillips g...

The truth behind true crime. This week we were ready to talk about the disinformation and rumour that provoked the Southport riots. But then another shocking incident raised similar questions. A car drove into a crowd of celebrating Liverpool FC fans – and unlike in the Southport case, police released details about the suspect. Is it right to partially identify suspects if it calms public anger? D...

The infamous Essex Boys triple murder is the case that will not die. Three men – Pat Tate, Tony Tucker, and Craig Rolfe – were found shot dead in a Range Rover in rural Essex in December 1995. These brutal killings shocked the nation and led to lurid speculation linking them to the Ecstasy-related death of teenager Leah Betts just weeks earlier. Two men, Jack Whomes and Michael Steele, were convic...

Is Britain really a two-tier justice system? Can artificial intelligence really solve the crisis in crime detection? And are the Conservatives trying to fix problems that started on their watch? In our first interview edition, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp MP joins Bernard and Alison for a spirited conversation on the future of policing, technology and the criminal justice system.  • Follow Cr...

The truth about true crime with ex-Met Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe and former Mirror editor Alison Phillips. This time: When police shoot dead a suspect the consequences are huge. But how is the decision to shoot to kill made? Is firearms policy fit for purpose? And is it right that the officer cleared of murdering Londoner Chris Kaba in a police roadblock now faces gross misconduct charges? B...

NEW SERIES: In Crime Scene ex-Met Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe and former Mirror editor Alison Phillips share their insider knowledge to lift the lid on how criminal investigations really work. In our debut episode: The horrific shooting of an innocent nine-year-old girl in Dalston in 2024 laid bare bitter rivalries between London’s armed gangs. Who is supplying these weapons – and from...

Launching 1 May 2025 – Cop shows and true crime dominate pop culture – but do we really understand what goes on inside major criminal investigations? In CRIME SCENE, ex-Metropolitan Police Commissioner BERNARD HOGAN-HOWE and former Mirror editor ALISON PHILLIPS take a deep dive into real cases, from gang hits to manhunts to fraud, extortion and drug trafficking, and explain what really goes on. Ho...