Scottish Elections, Police Body Cameras, Lockerbie and the £6 Billion Drugs Crisis

This week on Crime Time Inc, Simon and Tom mark the last of their general-topic episodes for a few weeks — while they push on to finish their in-depth series on the Zodiac murders — with an episode packed full of Scottish crime, policing, politics, and culture.

Simon opens with a warning about "true friendship fraud", the growing phenomenon where criminals cultivate online relationships with vulnerable and elderly people in order to steal their money. With Scotland's older population increasingly targeted through Facebook, WhatsApp and other platforms, Simon and Tom explain the warning signs to look out for. Tom brings his characteristic dry wit to the subject, suggesting that any would-be fraudsters targeting him would leave considerably out of pocket.

The political agenda is front and centre this week. Simon highlights new UK legislation cracking down on political donations — including a ban on crypto donations and a £100,000 cap on overseas contributions — ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections on 6 May. Tom draws on his years as Deputy Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders to give a frank insider account of what it takes to police a major election: the pre-planning, the management of rival factions, security at counting centres, the Representation of the People Act, and why rising political temperatures mean this May's vote will be a particularly demanding operation. Both hosts share their frustration at the state of modern political debate, noting that First Minister's Questions has descended into a catalogue of accusations rather than a forum for policy.

Glasgow has finally joined the rest of the UK in rolling out police body-worn cameras, and Tom is blunt about why it took so long: Scotland's police capital budget is "lamentably inadequate", representing close to 0% of the Scottish Government's public spending despite policing accounting for roughly 3% of costs. Tom draws a direct line between that chronic underfunding and the £50 million Sheku Bayoh public inquiry — a cost that would have paid for body cameras across the whole of Police Scotland. The hosts also discuss privacy implications and Simon's affectionate memory of "Mr Gadget", a community officer from his days in Govan who wore every piece of kit simultaneously — including body armour he'd acquired himself — until being rendered immobile by the weight of it.

Elsewhere, Tom gives his assessment of the Lockerbie bombing trial in New York, where alleged bomb-maker Abu Masud faces charges but legal delays are raising fears that the evidence may never be heard in open court. Tom warns of defence tactics designed to "run the clock round" and expresses hope that the Crown's reported intention to publish all evidence publicly — should the trial collapse — will at least bring some form of truth to the families of the 270 victims. The episode also features the latest instalment of the hosts' regular Scots language segment, with explorations of "wee", "Hogmanay", the "Loony Dook" and the beautiful Scots blessing "Lang may yer lum reek". Finally, Simon trails a forthcoming episode on Scotland's £6 billion annual drug crisis, following a major new Social Market Foundation report.

KEY TALKING POINTS

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• Friendship fraud and befriending scams: how to spot them and protect vulnerable people

• New UK rules on political donations: crypto ban and the £100k overseas cap

• Policing Scottish elections: behind the scenes with a former Deputy Chief Constable

• Why First Minister's Questions has become "yaboo politics"

• Glasgow body cameras: why Scotland was years behind — and the true cost of delay

• The Sheku Bayoh inquiry: £50m that could have paid for national body cam rollout

• Lockerbie trial update: delays, defence tactics and the risk evidence is never heard

• Scots Language: "Wee", "Aye", "Hogmanay", "Loony Dook", "Lang may yer lum reek"

• Preview: Scotland's £6 billion drug crisis

HOSTS

About Crime Time Inc.

Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic.

This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history.

Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work.

Two crime worlds. One podcast.

New episodes released regularly throughout the season.

Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/

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