The REAL meaning of Public Service Broadcasting (Crimewatch UK)

Member Name: jaffacakemonster

Product:	Crimewatch UK
Date:	09/11/00 (883 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Reporting on the crime in our country, and help put a stop to it

Disadvantages: None

Crimewatch UK is the BBC's most popular and long-running factual programme, and has been on air for over 16 years now. The programme's aim is to put help put a stop to crime across the country, but all this cannot be done without the help of the public. Nick Ross and Jill Dando were presenters of this programme until 1999 when Jill Dando - in a bizzare twist of events - was herself a victim of crime, being murdered outside her own home. However, Jill's Crimewatch shoes have now been filled by BBC news presneter Fiona Bruce.

I think that Crimewatch UK should be watched by everyone, as it's not aimed at being entertaining, but as a service to the public by the BBC. In today's world, there are many reported cases of crime, much of which is on our own doorsteps. Not just criminal damage and theft, but sickening acts of rape, assault and murder, are all happening in our own community every day. Crimewatch UK is the only significant television programme that is helping to put a stop to all this. It informs us of the crime taking place across the country, and in our local neighbourhoods, providing us with CCTV footage and picture-fits of those carrying out the crimes. They produce extremely detailed reconstructions on criminal events, using information from the victims, in an effort to jog the memories of the public who may have vital information that could solve the case and catch the criminals.

The presenters clearly feel strongly about the crimes featured on the programme, and DO plead for your help in catching the perpotrators of these deeds. This was most apparent when veteran journalist and and Crimewatch presenter Nick Ross reported on the murder of Jill dando, his long-time colleague and friend. Over a year later and her killer has still not been found.

Simply put, there is NO reason not to watch Crimewatch UK on BBC ONE every month, espically if you've ever encountered any sort of crime in your life. I think the
BBC should be pround of the fact that this programme HAS put murderers and rapists behind bars, but it couldn't have been done without the viewers ringing in on the programme's freephone number. Only by watching Crimewatch and and reporting crime you witness, can we help keep the criminals off our streets and put them behind bars.

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