May 13, 2024 – "BBC radio teams across the nations have a unique connection with audiences; they are closest to stories and the people impacted." — Chris Burns, Controller of Local Audio Commissioning

The BBC is launching The Crime Next Door; a brand new true crime strand for BBC Sounds. All episodes will be made by BBC teams in the nations and regions bringing together storytelling from communities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The brand will become the new home for all local true crime podcasts including An Assassin Comes to Town from BBC Radio Scotland, where Kaye Adams returns to Kirkcaldy, a quiet suburban town in Scotland, to find out why a hard-working family man found himself the target of a ruthless hitman who would stop at nothing. An Assassin Comes to Town is a 6-part podcast which tells an incredible story of state forces, international espionage, a disintegrating nation and a hitman on the loose.

Other podcasts include, The Servants And The Saints from BBC Radio Ulster which will explore the story of a global religious group which is reportedly receiving sizeable donations while also being the subject of child abuse allegations. Death on Ffynnon Farm from BBC Wales and other podcasts like The Kidnapping of Stephanie Slater from Radio Nottingham, the Body in the Tree from BBC Hereford and Worcester and In Court: The Trial of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon from BBC South.

As with all BBC local productions, the focus is not on the crime but how it impacted on the surrounding community and told exclusively by local story tellers.

It will be available on BBC Sounds this Spring alongside other local podcast strands Assume Nothing, My Moment in History (stories of those impacted by history Expelled from Uganda), The Salisbury Poisonings, The Falklands War, The Total Sport Podcast (Seven: Rob Burrow with….), Brown Gal Can’t Swim and Love Bombed; where Vicky Pattinson meets real people who have fallen victim to double lives, mental trickery and manipulation in love.

Claudia Lawrence: A Mother’s Story is another recent launch from local teams. The special series from BBC Radio York speaks to Joan, the mother of missing chef Claudia Lawrence. Over four episodes Joan opens up about her pain as it approaches 15 years since her daughter’s disappearance.

Chris Burns, Controller of Local Audio Commissioning for the BBC said: “BBC radio teams across the nations have a unique connection with audiences; they are closest to stories and the people impacted.”

“If we are covering a news story, we do so through the eyes of our audiences and where they live, not the lens of Westminster. If we are doing a story about the NHS, we need to hear from those impacted and we use those stories to hold local leaders and politicians to account. In sport we provide commentary on every local game and provide regular forums where fans can praise – and grumble.”

All 39 BBC Local Radio stations across England provide local programming throughout the week with local news bulletins on the hour and live sport action as well as celebrating and championing communities.

The Make a Difference Awards (run by BBC local radio stations in England) honour local people for their heroic everyday acts of kindness. More than 14,000 nominations have been received in total for this year’s awards. The categories acknowledge bravery, volunteers, carers, great neighbours and even hero pets.