Fed up with the rise of street crime in Britain? So is ex-police detective Rebecca Mason. In Channel 5’s “Vigilante & Proud: Catching the Street Thieves,” Mason takes matters into her own hands, tracking down the thieves plaguing communities and confronting them with their actions.
From pickpocketing and bike theft to shoplifting, the program highlights the brazen acts often dismissed as “petty” – but which have a real impact on victims. With police resources stretched thin, Mason steps in, meeting with those affected and using a mix of social media clues, old-fashioned detective work, and local intel to identify and confront the perpetrators.
Tuesday’s episode sees Mason take on a range of criminal acts, from the individual terrorizing shopkeepers in Newham to a ruthless gang of motorbike thieves operating across the city.
“Vigilante & Proud” asks a few uncomfortable questions about law enforcement in the modern age. With more and more crime appearing on social media, what role should citizens play in holding criminals accountable? Find out on Channel 5, Tuesday, 6 May at 8:00 PM.
