Ep 1. Predators

In season 8 of 24 Hours in Police Custody, the first episode is called "Predators". The episode follows the investigation into a man who has been accused of grooming young girls online. The man, who is in his 30s, has been posing as a teenage boy online and messaging young girls. He has been convincing them to meet up with him for sex, and several of the girls have come forward to the police.

The investigation begins when one of the girls who has been groomed contacts the police. She has been talking to the man for several weeks and has arranged to meet up with him. The police set up a sting operation, and when the man arrives at the meeting point, he is arrested.

The suspect is taken to the Luton Police Custody Suite, where he is interviewed by detectives. He denies all the allegations against him and insists that he has never met any of the girls he has been talking to. However, the police have evidence to the contrary, including chat logs and video recordings.

Over the course of the episode, the police try to build a case against the suspect. They talk to the girls that he has been messaging and gather evidence from his computer and phone. They also interview his family and friends to try and get a better understanding of his behaviour.

As the investigation progresses, it becomes clear that the suspect has been grooming young girls for a long time. He has a sophisticated system of fake profiles and has been targeting vulnerable girls who are less likely to speak out. The police are determined to get justice for the victims and to prevent the suspect from causing harm to others in the future.

Throughout the episode, the viewer is given a behind-the-scenes look at the workings of a busy police custody suite. We see the suspect being booked in, fingerprinted and photographed. We also see the detectives working tirelessly to build a case against him, interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence.

The episode highlights the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children and young people from online grooming. It shows the disturbing tactics used by predators to manipulate their victims and the devastating impact this can have on their lives. It also demonstrates the dedication and hard work of the police to keep people safe and bring offenders to justice.

Overall, 24 Hours in Police Custody season 8 episode 1 "Predators" is a gripping and thought-provoking episode that sheds light on a disturbing issue. It is a reminder that behind every crime there are real victims and that justice can only be served through the hard work and dedication of the police.