Victims’ fury as BBC axes Crimewatch
Fury of police and victims as BBC axes Crimewatch after 33 years
MURDER victims’ families joined with ex-detectives to slam BBC chiefs for axing Crimewatch after 33 years.
OUTRAGED families and former police officers yesterday blasted the BBC for scrapping Crimewatch.
Those whose loved-ones’ killers were snared with its help said the prime-time BBC One show was a “public service worth more than money”.
Meanwhile Crimewatch insiders said it could not successfully transfer to a commercial channel because police forces had built up trust over 33 years with the publicly-funded programme.
Dr Sara Payne’s eight-year-old daughter Sarah was murdered in 2000 by Roy Whiting.
The mum said: “Crimewatch helped bring my child’s killer to justice, it’s one of the best ways the public can engage with police in fighting crime. I say no to the BBC re Crimewatch, this public service is worth more than money or ratings. It needs investment not closure.”
Stuart Fergus, the stepdad of murdered toddler James Bulger also slammed the decision as “utter madness”. The show helped cage killers Robert Thompson and Jon Venables.
Mr Fergus said: “Crimewatch is an institution. It was there to help bring justice for James. The point of it was for cases where they need public help.”
Former Chief Supt David Hatcher, once a Crimewatch regular, said it made an “enormous difference” and went on: “It was tremendously successful. One hopes they might bring it back in some kind of rebooted form.”
A former Crimewatch staff member said police forces would be “outraged” as the show still led to one in three featured cases ending with a conviction.
And an insider said: “It’s difficult to do it elsewhere. There are legal restrictions. It can only stay on iPlayer for 24 hours.”
Mark Hallas, of charity Crimestoppers, said: “We worked with them over many years and are sad to hear this news.”
The programme, recently fronted by Jeremy Vine, has seen viewing figures fall. Three episodes aired in February and March and were watched by an average of almost three million viewers, down from 14 million at the show’s peak. Presenters from its past included Jill Dando – killed in 1999 with her case being featured on the show.
Other cases highlighted include the kidnapping of Stephanie Slater and the killing of Stephen Lawrence.
The BBC will keep the Crimewatch Roadshow but scrapping the flagship will “allow room for new innovative
programmes in peak time”.