Season 5 · Episode 32

How the Soham Murders Transformed UK Police Protocols

15 March 2026·47:25

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Show Notes

Old Firm Disorder, Glasgow Fire, and Lessons from Huntley: Policing, Enforcement, and True Crime Insights In a wide-ranging chat, Simon and former senior Scottish police officer Tom Wood discuss Tom’s new book-editing process and then focus on recent disorder around the Rangers–Celtic Old Firm match, arguing sectarian hatred still simmers and questioning reduced police presence, reliance on stewards, and proposals to reintroduce alcohol at stadiums. They link football violence, gate-crashing, and disguised fans to broader issues of enforcement, funding cuts, and lost “organisational memory.” The conversation shifts to a major Glasgow city-centre fire at an iconic corner, suggesting existing regulations are adequate but under-enforced due to hollowed-out local authorities and reduced inspection capacity, with concern about vape shops and illicit activity. They reflect on the Soham murders by Ian Huntley and the Bichard Inquiry’s lessons on intelligence-sharing failures, compare offender secrecy to Angus Sinclair, note a new near-miss account related to Robert Black, and briefly preview London’s policing challenge after banning the Al Quds march. 00:00 Book Editing Grind 00:44 Old Firm Violence Returns 01:45 Policing vs Stewarding 03:59 Alcohol Ban Debate 07:52 Sectarianism and Rivalry 11:49 Away Fans and Hooliganism 14:51 Pickpockets at Matches 16:46 Glasgow Fire and Neglect 20:36 Vape Shops and Drug Parallels 23:30 Smoking Ban Lessons 23:49 Smoking Ban Success 24:52 Vape Shop Fire Questions 25:16 Enforcement Over New Laws 26:34 Policing Vape Shops 27:24 Pawn Shops and Beat Cops 28:09 Madam Doubtfire Origins 29:08 Glasgow Fair and Pawnbroking 30:44 Soham Murders Lessons 32:59 Killers Keeping Secrets 36:27 Near Misses and Intel Logs 40:10 Patterns in Minor Incidents 41:37 Covering for Offenders 42:29 Banning Marches in London 46:42 Rugby and Sign Off About Crime Time Inc. Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic. This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history. Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work. Two crime worlds. One podcast. New episodes released regularly throughout the season. Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/ If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us. Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey. http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.