Caught Up In Crime

On Boxing Day 1996, 13-year-old David Spencer and his 11-year-old friend Patrick Warren disappeared from their homes in Chelmsley Wood near Birmingham.   They've never been found.   Unlike other high-profile missing persons cases involving children - such as Maddie McCann, Ben Needham, and Milly Dowler - the boys' disappearance barely caused a ripple of media interest beyond the local area.   Partly, this was due to police suggesting they might have run away, or been 'playing a game'.   Twenty years later, journalist Lauren Potts was commissioned to write a feature article on the case for the BBC.   Now, she tells her story. About how the people on the estate have become deeply mistrustful of both the police and the media - and of how the boys may well have been let down by the authorities because they were deemed to be 'Streetwise lads' rather than vulnerable children.   Read Lauren's BBC article - 'The Mystery of the Milk Carton Kids' from 2016: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-37999316   Check out Lauren's other writing on her website: https://www.laurenpotts.co.uk/   If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to [email protected] or contact me at [email protected]   Connect with me on LinkedIn   Or Facebook   Or Instagram   Artwork by Spencer Wilson   Music by Premium Beat   Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle   Tracks featured in this episode: Hacking by La Cigale Nighthawks by Cosmo Lawson Jaded by Cosmo Lawson Quiet Winter Piano by Sunshime Music Heavy Hearts by Little Red Church

Si was a Sergeant for Surrey Police in 2002 when his team was assigned a seemingly routine missing persons case involving a 13-year-old girl. Little did he realise, almost a quarter of a century later, we'd still be talking about it... The girl's name was Amanda 'Milly' Dowler, and her abduction and murder at the hands of Levi Bellfield has become one of the most notorious and controversial cases in recent criminal history. It exposed the murky and divisive relationship between the press and the police. Shone a light on despicable reporting practices like phone hacking and the bribing of officials… and even helped to bring down a national newspaper. But for those first few desperate hours, as her family clung to hope, Si was in charge of the hunt to find her. Now he's telling his story for the first time. If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to [email protected] or contact me at [email protected]   Connect with me on LinkedIn Or Facebook Or Instagram Artwork by Spencer Wilson  Music by Premium Beat Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle Tracks featured in this episode: Desolate World by Immersive Music Closing Out by Vesper Tapes Whispers of Midnight by Tom Olivier Hush Now My Heart by Cool Cat Music The Remaining by Emmett Cooke

Susan Moore was the very first person I interviewed for Caught Up in Crime. In The Major and the Pop Pirate she talked about the death of her father, Reg Calvert, who was killed by Oliver Smedley at a cottage in Essex in 1966. The episode remains one of the most popular in the history of the podcast - and much of that is down Susan's candid and passionate account of Reg's personality. Her telling casts significant doubt on the official narrative that Smedley shot Reg in self-defence, and paints a picture of her father as a calm man who came to negotiate that night, and lost his life at the hands of a calculating killer. Very sadly, Susan died in July 2026. Right up to the end she was a vehement defender of her father's memory - and she was immensely proud of the trilogy of books she wrote about her parents, Reg and Dorothy.  I can heartily recommend the series, and it is available to buy on Amazon. This Bonus Episode is a tribute to Susan and revisits her contribution to the podcast.   If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to [email protected] or contact me at [email protected]  Connect with me on LinkedIn Or Facebook Or Instagram Artwork by Spencer Wilson  Music by Premium Beat Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle

When Natalie Doig started Weird in the Wade - a podcast about strange goings-on in her home town of Biggleswade - she had no idea it would become a smash-hit, spawning a range of merchandise, live shows and ghost tours. But such is the fascination people have with stories about true crime and the paranormal. One tale in particular has captivated this small town in Bedfordshire for nearly two centuries.  In 1843, Sarah Dazley was executed for the murder of her second husband, William. She was also accused of killing her first husband and her baby. She became known as 'The Potton Poisoner' - and her restless spirit still haunts the town today.  Join us for a whistlestop tour of weird history, vengeful Victorians and haunted Poundstretchers.  Listen to Weird in the Wade on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts. If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to [email protected] or contact me at [email protected]  Connect with me on LinkedIn Or Facebook Or Instagram Artwork by Spencer Wilson  Music by Premium Beat Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle Tracks featured in this episode: Mystery Toy by Boomer Hush Now by Michelle Carter Lost Souls by Chris Haigh Saw Dust by Adieu Adieu  

In 1994, Nick was new to Chesham. He befriended the landlord of the Black Cat pub, and would occasionally help out behind the bar. One day, when Nick was the only person on shift, a man walked into the pub and told the regulars they would see him on the TV news that night. He returned later that evening, but this time he was armed with two hand grenades and a machete. Nick kept the man talking for several hours as he told of his marriage beakdown and fiddled with the release pins on the grenades. Meanwhile, terrified punters were escaping through the window in the Gents, and police marksmen were gathering in the carpark... This is a tale of Hollywood drama in the heart of the Buckinghamshire countryside.  Now, Nick tells his story, for the very first time. If you have any story ideas for future episodes of Caught Up in Crime - you can email them to [email protected] or contact me at [email protected]  Connect with me on LinkedIn Or Facebook Or Instagram Artwork by Spencer Wilson  Music by Premium Beat Theme: Noir Guitar by Jonathan Boyle Tracks featured in this episode: Dark Encounters by Lost Harmonies Hard Decisions by Lost Harmonies Car Chase by Wolves Stay There by Nicklaus Vogel Outro: Like Thunder by Colin Fraser