Crimewatch UK

My 10/10 grade is for Crimewatch between 1984-2006. Recently, the programme seems to have lost sight of the fact that its entire existence is as public service television. Yes, its clear-up rate sits at a most impressive one case in every five shown and also there must be a willingness to embrace new technology but the fine line between innovation and tat is becoming increasingly threatened. A programme like Crimewatch should be about increasing the amount of phone calls that can be taken in a single night or ensuring that there is an accessible website to browse case files and report suspicions. It should not concern itself with cinematic reconstructions, breast beating symphonies and posturing. It seems so... tacky.

Nick Ross, the faintly bullish but ultimately professional presenter, has just been relieved of his duties after twenty-three years. If, as it seems, the decision to remove him was because he is in his sixtieth year then it once again reinforces the notion that factual television is two parts shine and one part factual content. Crimewatch has been instrumental in cracking myriad notorious cases, even those that are thirty years old. We are not talking about purse snatching and phone box flashers either... we are talking about murders, serial rapists and infanticide. For this alone, Crimewatch must be allowed to continue. Yet all I ask, as a long time viewer and criminological student, is that the glitz and almost American production values that have crept into recent editions are allowed to die a dignified death. It just takes a mugshot and a phone call to apprehend a bank robber or paedophile. So why bother with pulse racing car chases and sub standard RADA acting if there is a more simple (and dignified) approach to solving illegal deeds? Nick Ross has gone - there are better presenters but let's hope that he doesn't come to symbolise Crimewatch's decline into ITVesque gimmickry, where the process of solving crime plays second fiddle to photogenic presenters and cinematic reconstructions of a sex attack in Woking. Crimewatch has become as dependable as comfortable pyjamas. The elastic hasn't snapped yet and I don't want to have to thrown them into the bin whilst they still have a shelf life.