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Crimewatch Live S22E02 (7th October 2025)
Category
🦄
CreativityTranscript
00:00Boda and welcome to crime watch live we are coming to you from our studio in the
00:06Welsh capital Cardiff this morning a brave shop worker fights off an armed robber within seconds
00:14brandages the six-inch kitchen knife one of the other members of staff he's come out and
00:20clearly could have been hurt himself but can you help find the man wielding the knife welcome to
00:28crime watch live
00:31jamming switch both here and at the instance
00:34to remind you this was the induction and no block campaign and the handgun debate
00:40hello and welcome to crime watch 12 people rang and giving the same those fantastic results
00:48thanks for joining us this morning and thanks for your
00:58calls yesterday particularly on the theft of those really expensive handbags we have passed all
01:03that information over to the police yeah thanks so much for that we'll be hearing more incredible
01:07stories from the front line of policing including how a man pretending to be a paramedic in order
01:14to sexually abuse women was finally put behind bars he came across as very smug and I got the feeling
01:22that he felt that nobody would believe the victims and what they'd said and I honestly think he believed
01:28he'd get away with it well he didn't and south wales police are also with us asking for information about missing charlene hobbs a 36 year old mum whose disappearance they are treating as murder and we'll be talking about the power of a good bedtime story where meeting the charity keeping kids connected to their parents who are behind bars being able to do just
01:35very very simple as a very simple as a story for your kids it's about turning that negative into a positive so let's get on to the first one shall we
01:42as always our team and officers from today's program are backstage ready to take your calls all the ways you can get in touch can be found by following the
01:48social media and we'll be talking about the power of a good bedtime story you know
01:49and we'll be talking about the power of a good bedtime story where meeting the charity keeping kids connected to their parents who are behind bars
01:55for your kids. It's about turning that negative into a positive.
01:59So, let's get on to the first one, shall we?
02:04As always, our team and officers from today's programme are backstage ready to take your
02:08calls. All the ways you can get in touch can be found by following the QR code. You just
02:13scan the code with your phone's camera and it will direct you to our homepage. Otherwise,
02:18the number to call is 08000 468 999 or you can text us on 63399. Start with the word crime,
02:26leave a space, then write your message. And if you'd prefer, you can email us. The address
02:31is cwl at bbc.co.uk.
02:36Now our first appeal today is from Lincolnshire, where two shop workers have been left terrified
02:42in the small market town of Long Sutton.
02:45Long Sutton is a quiet market town in the South Holland district of Lincolnshire. It
03:10has a good selection of shops and crime is considered low.
03:14I've been working here at Gedney News Agents for 20 years and it's a lovely place to work.
03:19It was just a normal morning. But on Saturday the 29th of March, this was about
03:25to change. Police emergency. Hiya, I just had a robbery at Gedney's News Agents for Long Sutton.
03:35The call came in to Lincolnshire Police just after 5.30. He's went over the till, took money
03:40out of the till, he's threatened him with a knife. This is a very rare crime for Long Sutton.
03:45We don't get many robberies, certainly don't get any armed robberies in the area.
03:48Officers are aware. We've got it on as an urgent, so officers are travelling OK.
04:01I got to the store, one of my colleagues from response was obtaining statements from the
04:04staff that were there. My initial thoughts were to see what CCTV is available.
04:09Police started to build a timeline of events. The store opens at 5.30 in the morning. The
04:19staff were waiting at the back of the store for the papers to be delivered. Whilst they're
04:25out the back, the mail's walked into the store. He walks around. It's clear from the CCTV,
04:42he's wearing like a black hooded top, he's got the hood up with a face mask on.
04:49After checking the coast is clear, the mail attempts to open the till, before being interrupted
05:00by a staff member who walks over to serve him.
05:03Ask the member of staff for a packet of cigarettes, and then within seconds, brandishes the six-inch
05:11kitchen knife. Said to the member of staff, open the till and you won't get hurt. He takes
05:22it upon himself to open the till and start removing the cash.
05:33One of the other members of staff working that day, he's seen what's going on via the CCTV cameras
05:38in the back of the store. He's come out, tackled the mail. It was very brave to go out and
05:47tackle this person with a knife, not knowing what their intention was, and clearly could
05:52have been hurt himself.
05:54Luckily, no one is hurt, and the robber begins to back off, but continues to lash out. Finally,
06:02he decides to go.
06:08This was a terrifying moment for both shop workers, and it could have turned out very differently.
06:15I was in complete shock. I didn't know what to do. I'm really grateful my colleague was
06:22there. This was an awful thing to go through.
06:29The mail took approximately £80 in cash and a packet of cigarettes, but in the scuffle,
06:35he dropped approximately about £15. I've then gone and done a CCTV trawl. There was a private
06:41address that had some CCTV of him coming up their driveway and then making his way back down
06:49their driveway, which led to the park that was behind the properties.
06:55The police were unable to track him any further, but there are some clues in the CCTV.
07:01The suspect was wearing a black hooded top with a face mask and sort of like grey-blue trousers.
07:08They were darker at the bottom than they were at the top. He had a six-inch kitchen knife in
07:15his left hand, which didn't have a glove on, and in his right hand, wearing a black glove
07:21that he used to open the till and get the money from the till.
07:28We're very keen to catch this individual, clearly very dangerous, and would like to catch him
07:32before he goes on and does this again. He may have committed these offences anywhere in
07:36the country. Somebody will know who he is.
07:41It's outrageous behaviour that somebody has gone into this store with a knife, threatening
07:49the staff. Nobody should have to go to work and face that.
07:53To know this armed thief is still out there in the area is worrying. We're back at work,
07:59but we're afraid he may come back, so we hope he is caught soon.
08:04We're doing everything we can to try and find this individual. We need to keep it safe,
08:08so if anybody has got any information they can give us, then it would be greatly appreciated.
08:14Well, DC Matt Wharton from Lincolnshire Police is here with me now. Thank you for coming in.
08:20First of all, can we just talk about how brave the shop worker was? Because as you rightly said,
08:24you don't expect to go into work and have that happen, do you?
08:27No, not at all. Yeah, he was extremely brave in the circumstances.
08:30And you can see from the footage that he's at the back of the store,
08:33sees what's going on on the CCTV, then runs out and tackles the male who's got this knife.
08:39Yeah. Unfortunately, the shop workers were okay, but clearly terrified from the incident.
08:43Oh, yeah. Frightening incident, but yeah, luckily nobody was hurt.
08:46Yeah. So someone threatening somebody with a knife, I mean, clearly needs to be caught.
08:51So should we go through the details of this? Take us back to the beginning of what happened.
08:55Yeah. So the shop opened at 5.30 on the morning.
08:59They'd only been open about 10 minutes when this male walks in and he walks around the store
09:04before going to the counter and asking for a packet of cigarettes.
09:08As you can see, he tries there to open the tell himself.
09:11Asks for the cigarettes and then on being passed a packet of cigarettes,
09:16then brandishes knife and then opens the tell himself.
09:18Yeah. And you've obviously got the CCTV and then this shot as well.
09:22I mean, how would you describe the suspect? Because it's well covered,
09:25which in itself was suspicious because it wasn't a bad weather day.
09:28But how would you describe the suspect?
09:30Yeah, he was quite wrapped up welfare considering it wasn't that cold.
09:35But from the details we've got, he's a white male aged in his 40s,
09:39wearing, he's got like a black hoodie top underneath his jacket,
09:42again with the hood up, this face mask.
09:44And then these sort of distinctive two-tone grey trousers
09:48where they're sort of darker at the bottom than they are at the top.
09:50Yeah, like a tie-dye. You don't see many of them about, do you?
09:53Yeah. And we can see him as well walking outside
09:56because he's got a bit of a distinct walk.
09:58Yeah, it's as if he's got sort of a limp as he's walking along
10:01and it's whether anybody sort of recognises his walk from the CCTV.
10:07Yeah, so a few bits to go on there.
10:09And should we talk about where this shop is as well?
10:11Because that might jog people's memories.
10:13So yeah, the shop's down in Long Sutton, which is in South Lincolnshire,
10:17near to the border with Norfolk.
10:19And you can see on here we've got the news agents
10:21and then the footage that shows the driveway goes up is just here
10:25and then obviously he runs and we lose him in the park area
10:28at the back of the store.
10:29So it sounds like the suspect clearly knows the area given
10:33he's able to get himself to the park and knows where to go.
10:36I certainly think he's done his homework on his escape route from the store.
10:40Yeah, yeah. So who do you want to hear from?
10:42What do you want to hear from?
10:43What do you want to hear?
10:44Anybody who recognises the male, certainly his distinctive trousers,
10:47then we'd be very grateful to anybody who can put some names forward for us.
10:52Yeah, we want to find this man, don't we?
10:55Matt, thank you so much.
10:56Well, if you recognise him, get in touch.
10:59All the ways to do that are on the screen below.
11:02See what, that brave shop worker from the news agents might want to hear
11:06from some guests we're talking to later who are now volunteering
11:10with their local police force.
11:12Now, though, I'm joined by DI Graham Williams from South Wales Police's
11:17Major Crime Unit. Graham, welcome to the programme.
11:19You've got a really important urgent appeal you want to bring us right now.
11:23Tell us more.
11:24Yeah, that's right.
11:25So it's in relation to Charlene Hobbs, a 36-year-old vulnerable female from Cardiff,
11:29very well known in the Riverside, Adamstown and Splott areas.
11:34So Charlene went missing on the 24th of July, 2024.
11:38She was then missing for a period of months
11:40before the investigation was adopted by my team in October, 2024.
11:45And despite our best efforts,
11:47we haven't been able to establish any proof of life for her since that point.
11:51So of March this year, it was designated as a no-body murder investigation.
11:55However, we are very much keeping an open mind
11:57regarding what may have happened to Charlene.
12:00What can you tell us about the last known sighting of her?
12:03So the last known sighting of Charlene was on the 24th of July, 2024.
12:09That was at seven minutes past six in the morning.
12:12And that was on the Broadway in Cardiff.
12:15Through our inquiries, we identified a photograph of Charlene
12:18taken in a flat on the Broadway.
12:21And that's been the last proof of life that we've been able to establish for her.
12:24And obviously this has caused a massive amount of worry and pain for her family.
12:29They're understandably worried sick.
12:31And they have told us, Charlene, if you are able to, please contact someone to let us know that you are okay.
12:38We all miss you and love you.
12:40Love, Mum and Dad.
12:42Very, very powerful words there.
12:44Graham, there is some CCTV that you want to show us here today.
12:48Can you just talk us through what we're seeing?
12:50Because this may jog someone's memory if they're watching at home.
12:53Yeah, so this is from the 23rd of July, 2024.
12:56So this is the day before Charlene's disappearance.
12:58And this is from the Morrison's Daily on Moira Place.
13:01She entered the store around 28 minutes past four in the afternoon.
13:05So again, we don't think there's anything outstanding within that CCTV footage, but we feel it could jog people's memories just in terms of her movements and Charlene's appearance.
13:14Yeah, let's hope so.
13:15Now, this has been a huge investigation, huge inquiry for you and your team so far.
13:19Just give us an idea of the scale of what's happened so far.
13:22Yeah, very large and complex investigation for us.
13:24Over 400 people spoken to, over 600 premises visited, over 1,000 hours of CCTV gathered and viewed.
13:32Searches across South Wales with multiple resources, including search officers, drones, divers, sonar.
13:41And part of our search inquiries, we have a particular interest within the Cofillia Machin areas due to some information within the investigation.
13:48So any information relating to those areas, the end of July, beginning of August last year would be really helpful to us.
13:54Yeah, we need that information.
13:55Now, as part of this large scale investigation, a vehicle has come to your attention that you'd like to know a bit more about.
14:01We can see an image on the screen here.
14:02Just talk us through this.
14:03Yes, this is a red Nissan Micah, really significant in the investigation for us.
14:07We know it was being used at the time of Charlene's disappearance.
14:11So any information regarding that, particularly in the Cofillia Machin areas, would be helpful.
14:15We know that it was red initially, a couple of months later it was painted black,
14:19and that it was then found burnt out on the 29th of October in St Helens Close in Abergavenny.
14:25OK, now, arrests have been made as part of this investigation.
14:29Are you able to say any more about that at this stage?
14:31Yeah, so initially two persons, a male and female, were arrested.
14:34They've both been released, no further action.
14:36We do currently have a 46-year-old male on bail with inquiries ongoing.
14:40That being said, we are very much keeping an open mind.
14:43So again, any information could be useful to us.
14:45Could be useful and could be absolutely crucial.
14:47So today, who do you want to hear from?
14:50We want to hear from any friends or associates of Charlene that may have any information regarding her disappearance.
14:55Information from residents of Riverside, Adamstown, Splott, who may know something or may have seen some suspicious activity at that time.
15:03Particularly the residents of Cofilliam Macken.
15:06If they saw anything suspicious around the end of July, beginning of August, particularly around that red micro.
15:12And just that appeal on behalf of Charlene's family, really.
15:15She has a much loved daughter, sister and mother.
15:18So just that appeal for them.
15:20So sad.
15:21There is a Crimestoppers reward available as well of £20,000, which is available until at least the 24th of October.
15:28So if people don't feel comfortable reporting to us, they can report anonymously to Crimestoppers.
15:32Yeah, that's really important.
15:34And there is actually a portal, isn't there, where people can get information direct to you.
15:39And that could be absolutely crucial as part of this investigation.
15:42Graham, thank you for joining us today.
15:44So if you do know anything about Charlene, please do get in touch.
15:49You've heard how much this clearly means to her family.
15:52The police need answers and so do they.
15:54And we have got a QR code.
15:56It's on your screen now.
15:57If you scan that with your phone, we've got details of how you can get that information direct to Graham and his team.
16:03Anything that you think could be relevant to the investigation, you can get to them.
16:06Do try that now.
16:09Now, our next film looks at how a sinister rapist who used a range of disguises to win the trust of women he went on to assault was put behind bars.
16:19Now, this film contains some upsetting descriptions.
16:24Online, he was giving off good trusting vibes.
16:33He would chat to the victims for a few days to a few months.
16:41But we now know from all the evidence that as soon as he met the victim, he had other ideas.
16:49We received a report from a female stating that a male who was betraying himself to be a paramedic via a dating website app had sexually assaulted her.
17:16She believed that he was a caring individual.
17:19She felt that she could trust him and she built a relationship online with him.
17:25Once she'd met him, his demeanour and his mannerisms had changed compared to how kind of caring he appeared online.
17:38He became quite forceful and he sexually assaulted her.
17:43The caller said the attacker was a man called Jamie Kodolsky.
17:50We've got somebody who is a risk to the general public and a risk to females.
17:56So we took this complaint very seriously.
18:00As police began their enquiries into Jamie Kodolsky, they found a strikingly similar allegation had been made nine months earlier.
18:09In January 2023, we received a report from a female online reporting that she had been sexually assaulted by a male who she believed to be working as a paramedic.
18:22When he met the victim, he was in a green medical style uniform and he justified that by saying he'd just finished a night shift.
18:35His demeanour was quite different from what he'd portrayed whilst he was messaging her online.
18:45He'd become quite forceful and quite demanding in his nature.
18:50And when they returned to his home address, that's when the assault happened.
18:56She was able to tell us his first name, Jamie.
19:06This earlier victim was so traumatised by her alleged assault that she didn't want the police to pursue the matter.
19:13But the new allegation meant the police could now arrest Kodolsky and bring him in for questioning.
19:19He admitted to meeting up with both of the females.
19:22He never denied having any sexual contact with them, but compared to the allegations that have been made, things weren't matching up.
19:31He was released under strict bail conditions while detectives continued their investigation.
19:37Then, some weeks later, another alleged victim came forward, this time an ex-partner of Kodolsky's.
19:45In January 2024, we then received a third report from a female who was stating that she'd met a male online and had begun a relationship with him.
20:00And throughout that relationship, she reports being raped multiple times, also having a series of sexual assaults committed against her, as well as a non-fatal strangulation and false imprisonment.
20:17She claimed she had been abused in 2022.
20:22Then, whilst he was on bail, a fourth woman came forward claiming she had been attacked by Kodolsky in January 2024.
20:31The female had said she'd met a male online who was betraying himself to be a paramedic.
20:37And the victim had stated that this male had raped her.
20:42Police arrested Jamie Kodolsky again, and in April 2024, he was charged with offences against all four women, and remanded in custody to await trial.
20:58I'm going to have to place you under arrest on suspicion of...
21:01..a-lines, trafficking, drugs and...
21:03..suspicion of sexual assault, suspicion of rape and suspicion of sexual assault.
21:07Jamie appeared quite put out, to be honest, and acted like it was quite an inconvenience for him.
21:14He didn't seem particularly worried at that point.
21:18You're not taking my phone. I've literally gotten that within the last few days, so I want that back as soon as possible.
21:23He was concentrating on his device, being seized by police, and seemed quite concerned about that.
21:29There'll be nothing you can get on that.
21:31OK.
21:32But that was an essential piece of evidence, potentially, for the investigation,
21:35and what content that might have on it.
21:44When questioned about the fresh allegations made against him, Kodolsky claimed the encounters were consensual.
21:51But his digital records showed something else.
21:55From his phone, we could see that he'd been communicating with the females,
22:00that he'd been using the same messaging pattern to talk to them.
22:06We also had some forensic evidence in connection to one of the victims,
22:11which subsequently proved that Jamie wasn't being honest in his account.
22:16Things had gone further than he had stated.
22:23And he wasn't being honest about being a paramedic, either.
22:29Checks revealed that he had previously been at the East of England Ambulance Service.
22:35But this was as a call handler.
22:38He had never been a paramedic.
22:42He had gone to extraordinary lengths to present himself as a key worker.
22:51We seized various items of uniform, epaulets that you would wear on your shirts of these green uniforms,
23:03specifically epaulets that he wasn't entitled to wear.
23:06They found he had manipulated a green uniform he was given as a first aider to make it look like a paramedic's uniform.
23:14We also found medical ID cards that were either from previous employment or they were cards that he'd in fact tampered with
23:22and was using to portray himself in a more senior role that he wasn't entitled to be in.
23:29And he was using them as a method to gain trust from his victims and gain access to them to abuse them.
23:37In November 2024, Godolsky stood trial, charged with 15 counts of sexual offences relating to all four alleged victims.
23:48He came across as very smug.
23:51And I got the feeling that he felt that nobody would believe the victims and what they'd said.
23:58And I honestly think he believed he'd get away with it.
24:01In November 2024, Godolsky was convicted of three counts of rape and six counts of sexual assault,
24:10but cleared of the attacks alleged to have taken place when he was on bail.
24:15He was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
24:20His crimes have had a lasting impact on his victims.
24:26Seeing ambulances and paramedics fills me with dread because,
24:31although I have since learned Jamie is not a paramedic,
24:35I still have such a negative connotation around them.
24:42I feel shame just thinking about it.
24:45I no longer have friends and my relationship with my family will never be the same.
24:50I can't hug them or bear to be touched.
24:53And they don't know why.
24:55I blame myself for what happened to me.
25:00And I still do today.
25:02I stopped doing anything that made me feel good.
25:05Because I believed I didn't deserve it.
25:11I think it was really, really brave of them.
25:13And to have the courage to stand up and tell him exactly how he's affected their lives
25:17and how he's made them feel.
25:21But because he was travelling throughout the UK at different times,
25:24it's not beyond the realms of possibility
25:27that he may have committed offences against other females.
25:31And if that is the case, I would urge them to come forward
25:34so we can get justice done for them.
25:39Gosh, what a relief he was caught.
25:41Yeah, very much so. Good result there.
25:43Now, AI was something barely anyone knew much about just a few years ago.
25:47But now its benefits and applications are literally everywhere.
25:51But there is growing concern around how it can be used to exploit and groom young children.
25:57Yeah, it's really terrifying.
25:58I know us as parents were really worried about this.
26:00Well, to talk about it, we are joined by Ian Drennan,
26:03who's Executive Director of We Protect Global Alliance.
26:07It's an organisation focused on combating the threat of child sexual abuse and exploitation online.
26:14Ian, a big job you have.
26:16Tell us a bit more about your organisation.
26:18So we were launched in 2020 as an independent organisation
26:22and recognising that child sexual abuse and exploitation online is a global problem.
26:28It needs a global solution.
26:29So we brought together over 330 governments, private sector companies, civil society,
26:36intergovernmental organisations to develop solutions to this crime.
26:41We produce research, we drive collaboration,
26:44and we try and put together policy solutions to end this terrible crime.
26:49Yeah, really, really important job there.
26:51So today, you're speaking about generative AI.
26:55Can you just explain what that is and why there's so many concerns around it?
26:59So just as you said, there are so many opportunities that come through from AI.
27:04But like any new form of technology, we're seeing perpetrators exploiting it for their own ends.
27:11So firstly, you've got AI-generated child sexual abuse materials.
27:15So that's where you're creating kind of photorealistic images that are entirely synthetic.
27:21Then you've got so-called deep fakes, where you're taking perhaps an innocent picture of a child,
27:26and then you're using that to create explicit images of them.
27:30And then finally, you're seeing perpetrators using AI to supercharge,
27:36to enhance pre-existing techniques like grooming, where they're looking to meet children online
27:42and get them into risky situations.
27:46Gosh, it's incredible, isn't it? What can be created by it.
27:49So what are you guys doing about it and how much of a problem is this?
27:53I mean, this is a significant and growing threat.
27:57So one of our members, the Internet Watch Foundation, they find that compared from 2023 to 2024,
28:03there have been a 380% increase in AI-generated child sexual abuse material.
28:11What we're seeing is this is now complicating the law enforcement response.
28:16So you've got a lot of photorealistic, you know, indistinguishable to the naked eye,
28:22child sexual abuse material that's coming along.
28:24Police are having to work out whether that's a real victim who needs protection.
28:28So it's really making the response, which was already difficult, even more challenging.
28:33Even more challenging.
28:34Even more challenging, as you say.
28:35Well, you've launched a new initiative.
28:36It's called Protect Us.
28:38We're going to take a look at a clip now.
28:40I didn't understand what was happening.
28:45I started to panic.
28:48And I realised that Bella wasn't real.
29:02That's a powerful clip there, Ian.
29:06We can say that they are real actors that you've used there.
29:08But can you just explain what was going on there?
29:10Yeah.
29:11So this is a series of films that we put together with the incredible support from Baroness Joanna Shields.
29:17And they're available on our website, weprotect.org, on our YouTube channel.
29:21And what they do is bring to life these cases of AI-enhanced abuse.
29:27So the one you just saw there, it was financially motivated sexual extortion.
29:31So the boy believes that he's engaging with a young girl of his own age.
29:37Actually, it's someone sitting in something like a call centre, completely financially motivated.
29:42And tragically, we've seen these cases have ended up with people taking their own lives,
29:47sometimes within mere hours of being contacted.
29:50Absolutely.
29:51Yeah.
29:52The impact it can have is terrifying.
29:53And I know, I mean, me personally, as a parent, I'm terrified by this.
29:56Yeah, me too.
29:57As a dad as well.
29:58And there'll be parents, carers, grandparents, all worried about this.
30:02What can we do to try and keep our kids safe?
30:04No, I mean, absolutely.
30:05I've got a nine-year-old and an 11-year-old daughter myself.
30:09And I think, I mean, the first thing we need to recognise is that, unlike, you know, me or you growing up,
30:17children are kind of immersed in this digital world.
30:21They're experiencing the digital world, physical world.
30:23It's like there are no boundaries.
30:25It's like a seamless hole.
30:26So I think what we need to do is to understand what risks and challenges are out there,
30:32and then engage with children on their digital lives.
30:36So I think these criminals, these offenders, the currency they're trading in is blame and shame.
30:42And so if children feel that they can speak to trusted adults, parents, caregivers, about their experiences online,
30:50if something that they're not comfortable with, something that's not going well, if they feel they can talk to us,
30:55then a lot of that harm is reduced.
30:58And there are many, many resources out there.
31:00So Internet Watch Foundation, you can report harmful activity.
31:05The NSPCC has a brilliant helpline for children.
31:09And you can find more resources on our website.
31:12Brilliant.
31:13But I think help is out there is what I would want to leave you with.
31:15Good to know.
31:16So important to say, Ian, thank you.
31:17We're going to add your website onto our homepage, too, so people can find out more.
31:22Now, from kids navigating difficulties in the online world to a charity that's helping kids stay connected to their families in the real world.
31:31My name's Kizzy, and I'm the deputy CEO of Storybook Dads.
31:38Storybook Dads helps prisoners to read bedtime stories for their children.
31:42And it's advertised on the prison wings, and the prisoner will apply to take part.
31:48Sometimes they'll feel really nervous or embarrassed and not want to read in front of somebody.
31:52Or they might have a low literacy level.
31:55So we will go and see them and encourage them to come and take part, talk to them about their children.
32:01So they soon feel comfortable enough to sit and record with us.
32:05It shows the children that they love and miss during the period of separation.
32:11It makes them feel happy at home.
32:14It might help with bedtimes, feeling less worried, not struggling at school.
32:18It also helps dads and mums in prison feel worthwhile as parents.
32:24I've met a few children on prison visits that have used our service, and you can see, you know, that they recognise Daddy because they might have seen him on a DVD or they might have heard his voice on an audio.
32:37It's incredibly impactful and emotional to be part of that.
32:43We, on average, produce 4,000 stories a year across 103 prisons.
32:49Initially, the stories were edited by staff, and then we created a team of prisoners that could learn to do the editing.
32:56And then that became their job Monday to Friday.
32:59And the feedback from those guys is that they felt like they were part of something really positive.
33:03And one of those was Neil.
33:08I'm Neil. I was convicted for fraud.
33:11And I was in prison from February 2023 to August 2024.
33:19I got two children. One was five at the time. One was 14 months.
33:25For my eldest, suddenly, you know, Daddy wasn't there when he came home from school.
33:31So the effect that that had on him was big.
33:35For me as well, you know, used to being with them day in, day out, doing bedtimes every night, reading stories.
33:42For that to be gone was a huge impact on all of our lives, really.
33:48A big shock to the system, you know, from a quiet being at home to a crazy atmosphere where it's really loud and, you know, you're kind of on edge all the time.
34:01And just trying to get a grasp of how you're going to kind of get through this next period of time.
34:07When you're away like that, it's the little things that kind of count.
34:13I've been in prison for roughly three weeks and I put in an application to do a story for the kids.
34:23So let's get on to the first one, shall we? I really, really like this book. It's a really good one.
34:29I was excited when I spoke to them on the phone to tell them, you know, I've done this for you and it's going to be on its way.
34:35They're excited because they were getting a DVD through the post that they'd always be asking for the next one.
34:40And I'd ask them what book they wanted. So I'd try and do the story that they wanted.
34:46Redfin. Yes, miss. Tiddler. Tiddler. Tiddler's late. No, he's late.
34:55I found it quite emotional when I've done birthday stories and Christmas stories and things like that,
35:02because you know, you know, you're sending that off and you're not going to be there on that day.
35:07I hope you enjoyed that one, mate. It's a really good one and I'll do another one for you again soon.
35:12You feel like you have failed as a dad, as a person. So being able to do just something very simple as a story for your kids.
35:24It's about turning that negative into a positive.
35:27I will obviously see you very, very soon and love you lots. See you soon. Bye.
35:33Working now on the outside for Storybook Dads, massively proud of what I do.
35:41I know what it's like to be on that other side of the camera in that situation that they're in.
35:47So I know how much of a difference that's going to make to the kid that's going to receive it.
35:51And for me, I feel like I'm kind of where I'm meant to be.
35:59Since Storybook Dads started in 2003, we've trained over 800 prisoners to become editors.
36:05We've sent over 88,000 stories to prisoners' children.
36:09Research shows that prisoners who maintain contact with their families are up to six times less likely to re-offend.
36:17We've also trained about ten other countries to copy our model.
36:23For me personally, I think it's probably the best thing I've ever done.
36:27I get to work with prisoners knowing that I'm helping them do something really valuable for their children.
36:33Around 300,000 kids every year are affected by a family, close family member being in prison.
36:41And they're the kind of, you know, indirect victims, I suppose, of crime.
36:46My kids, when they talk about that sort of 18-month period of time where I wasn't around, it's always about Storybook Dads.
36:57Without Storybook Dads, I don't know quite what that 18 months would have been like.
37:01Wow, what amazing work they're doing.
37:08Well, volunteer officers have been around for 200 years, but the head count of Special Constables has had a dramatic nosedive.
37:16It's actually at its lowest now for 50 years.
37:19So to tell us why they think it's so great and encourage more of us to sign up, we have with us Kelly Drew and Darren Roberts.
37:26Thanks for coming in. You're all suited and booted.
37:28Now, this is a side hustle for you, isn't it, as Special Constables? Kelly, tell me a bit about your life, how you got into it and what your day job is.
37:35So it was actually at a university open day with my son.
37:39I actually got chatting to a special and he inspired me to join. I wanted to join when I was in my twenties into the regular police force, but I just sort of fell into a different career.
37:48Yeah, because it's very different to your day job, which is a big one as well.
37:52Yeah, it is. So my day job, I work for a major cinema chain as an operations director. And as a special constable, I'm a response officer in a district policing team for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary. So very different.
38:07Yeah, it's fascinating. And Darren, what got you in? Well, mum was in their Royal Navy and dad in the British Army. So I always had that bigger sense of purpose. And I wanted to get involved in protecting people and make my son proud. During the day, I work in a adventure clothing brand. And I also did 12 years in army reserves, infantry reconnaissance. So I was quite keen to transfer those skills across and be part of a close knit team again.
38:32And like Kelly, I'm in frontline response policing. I work with an amazing regular team of 12 officers who are brilliant at their job and super supportive of what we do.
38:44Yeah, and you clearly enjoy it. I can see from the smiles on your faces. Kelly, what's the training like to be a special constable?
38:50So the training is about eight or nine months long. Most of the training takes place at evenings and weekends, so it can fit around what we're doing.
38:58For the training, you learn a lot about police powers, legislation and also report writing, as well as more practical elements such as how to use the radio, how to keep yourself safe and first aid.
39:10And I've been really lucky to have some amazing tutors and sergeants support my training along the way as well.
39:15Yeah, training sounds so interesting. And so once you've done the training, you get the uniform, you're out there. What is a typical shift like, Darren?
39:22Well, I typically go to five to six instances shift with my supportive tutor. But the shift as a whole, there's about 40 instance per shift. So it's very busy.
39:34And you can go to anything from shoplifting to knife crime to missing persons to domestic violence. So it gets very, very busy for us.
39:43Yeah. And can you just explain for people who don't know what the difference is between a special constable and other roles in the police?
39:50Yes, it's a great question. The special constables have a warrant card and they have full policing powers, just like regular officers, but with volunteers.
39:59And we work alongside our talented control room operators, police constables, police staff and police community support officers in every single frontline situation.
40:10Yeah. And in terms of getting more people into this then, Kelly, what would you say?
40:14Most forces will be looking to recruit special constables at the moment so you can look up and get some information.
40:20But we take lots of people from different walks of life, whether you're a parent, a professional, a student or a retiree.
40:28It's very flexible and it can fit around your family and home life.
40:31So if you've got that time and you think you can help someone, I would encourage you to have a little look at it.
40:35That's really interesting. It sounds like kind of anyone can have a go.
40:38You have to be fit, though, because that's what I'd worry about, to be honest.
40:41It keeps me fit, does it? Excellent. OK, well, thank you so much for coming in to tell us about it.
40:46And if you'd like more information about it, about signing up yourself, head to the website below where you can access all the information that you need.
40:56I think you made a great cop, Steph. Now it's time for the first of this series, Wanted Faces.
41:06Police in Lancashire are urgently looking for this man. This is Christopher Spellman.
41:11He's a registered sex offender who's failed to check in with the police as instructed to do so.
41:16The 65 year old has long, scruffy hair and links all across the South Coast.
41:21The last positive sighting of him was in Dorset, but he may now be in Devon, Cornwall, Wiltshire, Hampshire or Kent.
41:27And police want to emphasise that he could be living off grid, possibly in a tent or wooded area or close to a beach.
41:34And they say he's previously had cash in hand jobs, such as selling fish to passers by.
41:39So you may see him doing that kind of work.
41:42What about Rubinder Singh? Though sometimes he uses the first name Gurpinder.
41:47Police in South Yorkshire want to speak to him about an allegation of rape.
41:51He's 31 with a beard and dark hair and has been known to have links to Barnsley in South Yorkshire.
41:57Although police believe he has now left that area.
42:00And last for this morning anyway, we've got this man, this is Kyle Campbell.
42:04But he also uses the surname manners, though it is questionable that he has any of those.
42:08The 25 year old is wanted by South Yorkshire police after he failed to appear in court after being charged with GBH with intent.
42:16He has a northern accent and links to Doncaster.
42:19And recent intelligence suggests he may now be in the new Rossington area of the city.
42:25So if you see any of these men out and about, please contact the police or us on 08000 468 999.
42:34Thank you for watching today. And remember, you can catch us on iPlayer for up to 30 days after broadcast.
42:40Details of organisations that can provide support with some of the issues raised in the programme today are available at bbc.co.uk slash action line.
42:50And Steph, you're actually back with us on Monday now, aren't you?
42:53Yes, I'll be back next Monday. But you have Jennifer Rioch with you for the rest of the week.
42:58So do stay watching, especially tomorrow as we've got the counter-terrorism police as they race against the clock to arrest a man they suspect is planning a violent attack.
43:09He seemed to be the person who was most likely to be involved with this group and potentially looking to conduct this attack.
43:20This is a dramatic case, that's for sure. We'll see you tomorrow at the same time at 10.45am. Bye for now.
43:26Bye-bye.
43:56Bye-bye.
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