Crimes That Shook Britain

On 19 August 1987, Michael Ryan went on a bloody rampage in the village of Hungerford. Ryan shot and killed 16 people and his crime would change the face of Britain forever.

Doctor Harold Shipman was convicted of killing 15 patients in 2000, but he is thought to have killed up to 215. Discover how he was eventually caught by detectives.

Bludgeoned to death whilst walking down a country lane, the horrific murders of Lin and Megan Russell made worldwide news. Discover the events of that shocking day.

Bludgeoned to death whilst walking down a country lane, the horrific murders of Lin and Megan Russell made worldwide news. Discover the events of that shocking day.

Beverley Allitt was thought to be a 'model' nurse. Very astute, caring and always willing to help, why did she murder four children and attempt to kill 11 others?

Eight-year-old Sarah Payne's disappearance and murder shocked the nation. Here, Sarah's mum reveals her tireless campaign to protect other children from paedophilia.

In an emotional tribute, witnesses and victims' relatives look back on the tragic murder of 16 children and a teacher at Dunblane Primary School in Scotland, 15 years ago.

London was brought to a standstill in April 1999 when 23-year-old political extremist David Copeland caused terror with a bombing campaign.

The parents of innocent 11-year-old Rhys Jones, shot on his way home from a football club in Liverpool 2007, speak about the harrowing day when they lost their son

Gripping documentary examining the fatal stabbing of 21-year-old motorist Stephen Cameron during a motorway altercation in 1996

A shocking look at the murder of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie, who was tortured and killed by her guardians in North London in 2000.

Survivors, victims' relatives and former detectives reflect on the Real IRA car bomb that killed 29 people in Omagh, Northern Ireland in 1998.

Former friends of Stephen Griffiths open up about the Bradford serial killer, who was caught firing a crossbow through Suzanne Blamires' head in 2010.

On the 20th anniversary of his death, the family of Stephen Lawrence reflect on his tragic murder in 1993, as well as their lengthy fight for justice.

The hunt for Raoul Moat was one of the largest in British history, after he wounded his ex-girlfriend, killed her new partner and shot and blinded police constable David Rathband.

Garry Newlove’s wife Helen talks about the events on the night of his murder and the days afterwards, as well as her current work as a peer in the House of Lords combatting anti-social behaviour.

Arguably Britain's most infamous serial killer, Peter Sutcliffe became known as The Yorkshire Ripper when he began murdering women in Yorkshire during the 1970s.

Failed businessman Christopher Foster killed his wife and daughter before burning their mansion in Shropshire to the ground in August 2008.

In the summer of 1993, gay men in London were being terrorised by a brutal killer. Colin Ireland, a loner from Southend, had made a macabre resolution to become a serial killer.

This series sheds new light on the chilling crimes that created shockwaves across the country and changed the UK forever. Each episode explores the dark depths of some of Britain�s most infamous and disturbing cases.

In broad daylight on a busy Woolwich street on 22nd May 2013, serving soldier Fusilier Lee Rigby was attacked and murdered by Islamic extremists Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale.

The story of the Marchioness; a pleasure boat that collided with dredger Bowbelle and sank within minutes resulting in the loss of 51 lives.

In April 2007, Clare Wood met George Appleton on a dating website and they embarked on a relationship together. Unbeknownst to her, Appleton was a criminal with a severe history of violence against women.

When six children died in a house fire in Allenton, Derby in May 2012 it shocked the nation. Parents Mick and Mairead Philpott were charged with the murders. We uncover the reasons behind the arson attack on their own home.

Rolf Harris became famous for his artwork and music, even painting a portrait of the Queen for the jubilee. But it all came crumbling down in August 2013 when he was accused of 12 assaults on girls as young as eight years old between 1968 and 1986.

It's 2012 and drug dealer Dale Cregan murders police officers Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone. Dermot Murnaghan investigates.

A look at the case of estate agent Suzy Lamplugh, who showed a client around a house in Fulham in July 1986 and was never seen again. Dermot Murnaghan hosts.

In this special episode, we focus on those criminals who have been brought to justice for one crime only to be released to commit further terrible acts.

One of the UK’s biggest sex trafficking rings was uncovered in Rochdale in 2012. In a horrific catalogue of abuse, girls as young as 13 were subjected to rape and torture by a gang of nine men.

With exclusive, first time access to Dennehy’s mother and father, we hear from the murderer’s parents and how the crimes of their daughter have shattered a family.

In 1985, PC Keith Blakelock was murdered during a riot on a housing estate in London, triggered after a black woman died of heart failure during a house search. Nobody has been brought to justice for his murder, despite three investigations.

Peter Tobin is one of the most notorious serial killers in the UK. From 1991–2006 he raped and murdered three young girls; Dinah McNicol, Vicky Hamilton and Angelika Kluk. Yet even prior to these horrific murders he had a history of violence.

John Sweeney brutally murdered two of his girlfriends, dismembered their bodies and dumped them in canals. In a macabre twist, he hid clues in his abstract paintings, and five other girlfriends of his are currently still missing.

The series returns to take a closer look at the most horrific crimes ever committed on British soil, starting with the May 2017 Manchester Arena bombing.

The tragic story of Ann Maguire, who was stabbed to death by a teenage pupil while teaching a Spanish lesson at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds.

The harrowing story of EastEnders actress Gemma McCluskie, who was murdered by her older brother in the flat they shared in east London in 2012.

An inside look at the series of mysterious deaths that occurred at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport, Greater Manchester, in 2011.

A closer look at the crimes of Steve Wright, who was dubbed 'The Suffolk Strangler' after murdering five women who worked as prostitutes in Ipswich in 2006.

A chilling look at the crimes of Stephen Port, the east London serial killer who poisoned four young men with lethal doses of a date rape drug.

Elle Edwards is enjoying a night out with friends and family in a local Merseyside pub. Shortly before midnight, she steps outside for some fresh air. Minutes later, she would be killed... struck down in a torrent of machine gun bullets.

In June 2020, as the country is enjoying a short respite from COVID restrictions, three men are fatally stabbed at a park in broad daylight. But the nation�s shock at the terrorist attack soon turns to anger, as details of the killer are revealed.

Jack Lis is at his friend�s house when he is attacked by an aggressive dog. Despite medical intervention, his injuries are catastrophic. Jack�s death is one of the first in a series of deadly dog attacks that are sweeping the country.

The death of Shakira Spencer was the culmination of systematic cruelty at the hands of people she originally believed to be friends. Shakira was isolated, tortured, and abused during a time when people were rarely allowed to visit one another.

The brutal murder of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey shocked the nation and the world. The trans-teenager was a vulnerable victim who lived almost her entire life online, finding friendship in her thousands of social media followers.

A father-son trip ends in horror as 51-year-old Lee Pomeroy falls victim to a ferocious knife attack on a commuter train. Lee is brutally stabbed 18 times in 25 seconds and dies in the arms of his 14-year-old son before help can arrive.

When a missing person is found dead in Finsbury Park, north London – investigators discover the sadistic killer has already struck before... and got away with it.

When a young Goth couple, Rob Maltby and Sophie Lancaster, are set upon by a ‘pack of feral thugs'—the vicious attack leaves eyewitnesses afraid to speak up. Despite the very public attack, a wall of silence falls around the offenders.