Channel 4 viewers 'left high and dry' as they fume over hit TV series 'disappearing'

Channel 4 fans have hit out at the broadcaster as they fume they have been "left high and dry". 24 Hours In Police Custody is a hit with viewers as it documents the day to day life of police officers dealing with a range of crimes. So far, the programme has followed a range of local police forces including those in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Peterborough. It first hit screens back in 2014 and is on its eleventh series, which aired last month. However, fans have claimed the release schedule for the show is "sporadic" and many "never know when it's coming out". One fumed: "When will there be a new episode!? Been left high and dry for 2 weeks now does anyone know the schedule?".

Another added: "The release schedule for this show is sporadic to say the least, never know when it's coming out." Someone else wrote on the Reddit forum: "I only just discovered it after years of waving it off and I LOVE it, so this is devastating news." A fourth commented: "This is a very underrated programme - it's not sensationalist, reports complex procedure well and leaves viewers to make up there own minds. I hope we see a lot more episodes.".

In response to the concern, a Channel 4 spokesperson said: "24 Hours in Police Custody has not been cancelled. The most recent series has concluded and these and many others are available on streaming. As ever the team are working hard to bring new cases to the screen.". The show's creator and executive producer Simon Ford previously spoke of the series and said: "We can go from major drugs importers bringing in tons of cocaine to poor drug-addicted prostitutes. You could barely script some of it. We've had drug dealers being interviewed with their phones lying on the desk, and suddenly they get calls asking for drugs and the police officer's going, 'Who's that? Who's that?'.

"Crime writers I've talked to have said, 'You've got so many scenes we wouldn't even dare write because they'd seem too preposterous. Yet they actually happen for you guys.'" Last month, an episode of 24 Hours in Police Custody aired that revisited the harrowing case of a rapist named Mohammed Altaher, who preyed on victims he found on the dating site Grindr. The instalment, titled 'The Predator', showcased the intricate efforts of Bedfordshire Police's Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team at Luton Police Station as they confronted the challenges of prosecuting sexual assault crimes. The case revolved around Altaher's violent attacks on two men, with authorities striving to amass adequate evidence to press charges despite his claims of consensual encounters.

Last year, Channel 4 received the backing from Bedfordshire Police after a local council accused 24 Hours in Police Custody of 'damaging the reputation' of Luton. Luton Borough Council had called on the police force to stop their collaboration with the broadcaster. They had described the programme as a "kick in the teeth" claiming it heightened "Luton-bashing". The council also claimed the show provided the force with a "platform to engage younger audiences" and connect with crime victims. However, chief constable of Bedfordshire Police, Trevor Rodenhurst, and the county’s police and crime commissioner, John Tizard, remain committed to the Channel 4 show.

They said: "It sends a categoric message that criminals will not be able to operate with impunity in Luton, or anywhere in Bedfordshire, and underlines our relentless commitment to bring offenders to justice.". The Mirror has contacted Channel 4 for comment. Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTubeand Threads.