SAS: Catching the Criminals with Billy Birmingham New For BBC One

The BBC has commissioned a new exciting daytime series, SAS: Catching the Criminals, featuring ex-SAS leader Billy Billingham. Produced by Double Act, the 15-episode series will explore how police forces and enforcement teams in the UK are incorporating military and SAS tactics to apprehend criminals.

In an effort to combat rising incidents of theft, fly tipping, and environmental crimes, Billy will travel across the country to shadow various police forces, local councils, and trading standards agencies. He aims to understand their covert intelligence methods, surveillance techniques, and disruption strategies employed to tackle anti-social crimes. By observing these investigations firsthand and assisting in technique development, Billy hopes to contribute his expertise in order to help catch criminals.

Each episode will also feature an elaborate sting operation orchestrated by the teams that Billy is following. The series will not only showcase these operations but also shed light on some of the victims affected by such crimes. In addition, it will introduce viewers to members of the local community who have played a pivotal role in solving cases.

Billy expresses his enthusiasm for how police forces are adapting SAS techniques for crime prevention. “There is so much time that goes into these sting operations, and to see live results with a build up to the catching of these unscrupulous individuals will be a real thrill for audiences.”

Executive Producer Larry Walford from Double Act praises Billy’s energetic presence and gravitas brought about by his past experiences with the SAS. Rob Unsworth, Head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak commissioning, believes SAS: Catching the Criminals is a dynamic addition to their schedule that provides unprecedented insight into law enforcement techniques used across the UK.

Commissioned for BBC One and iPlayer by Rob Unsworth with Lindsay Bradbury as Commissioning Editor for BBC Daytime, SAS: Catching the Criminals is set to air later this year. The series marks Double Act’s inaugural production out of their new regional hub located in Birmingham.