Ep 2. To Catch a Paedophile

In the second episode of season 4 of 24 Hours In Police Custody, titled To Catch a Paedophile, the show takes a deep dive into a complex investigation involving the sexual exploitation of minors. The episode follows the work of the Bedfordshire Police's Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) team as they work to apprehend a man they suspect of grooming and sexually abusing children.

The episode opens with Detective Constable Sarah Bell and Detective Sergeant Amanda Worne attending a briefing about a man named Clive Cox. Cox is suspected of communicating with children online, and the police have set up a fake profile to catch him in the act. The CSE team believes that Cox is a dangerous predator, and they are determined to catch him before he can harm any more children.

The episode follows the CSE team as they conduct a 24-hour surveillance operation on Cox, hoping to catch him in the act. The team sets up an undercover operation, with Detective Constable Gurdip Singh posing as the 14-year-old girl that Cox has been communicating with online. The team also sets up a camera crew in a nearby hotel room to capture any potential incriminating evidence.

As the team waits for Cox to arrive at the hotel, they discuss the challenges of investigating cases of child sexual exploitation. They describe how grooming can often be a long process, in which abusers slowly build trust with their victims, making them less likely to report the abuse.

When Cox arrives at the hotel and begins to interact with Detective Constable Singh, the tension in the room is palpable. The team watches and listens with bated breath as Cox chats with Singh, making a series of increasingly explicit comments and requests. The CSE team eventually arrests Cox and begins the process of questioning him about his actions.

The rest of the episode follows the CSE team as they continue to investigate Cox's case. They interview the children he has been communicating with online, as well as his family and friends, gathering evidence to build a case against him. As they work, the officers reflect on the emotional toll that investigating cases of child sexual abuse can take on them. They describe the need to compartmentalize their work, so that they can maintain a professional demeanor while dealing with such emotionally challenging situations.

Throughout the episode, the CSE team's commitment to protecting children is evident. They work tirelessly to catch Cox and to gather evidence against him, knowing that their work could prevent him from harming any more children in the future. The episode is a stark reminder of the dangers that children face online, and of the crucial role that law enforcement officers play in protecting them.

Overall, 24 Hours In Police Custody season 4 episode 2, To Catch A Paedophile, is a powerful and thought-provoking look at the work of the Bedfordshire Police's CSE team. It is a gripping exploration of the challenges and complexities involved in investigating cases of child sexual exploitation, and a testament to the commitment and skill of the officers who work to bring abusers to justice.