Real life detectives

Yes, historic abuse that got dealt with in a systematic forensic manner. It was great to see how the evidence mounted up against RT and was corroborated by other witnesses who weren't aware that the same details had already been given. I hope it gave some confidence to people who had suffered such abuse to be able to come forward and expect their complaints to be addressed with professional thoroughness.

Mark Williams Thomas's comments on Twitter. He has been instrumental in investigating many historic abuse cases and helping to bring them to justice.
twitter.com/mwilliamsthomas/status/600228786404208640

It was amazing to watch and to get an insight into how the detectives are affected by what they see and do. Just ordinary people doing an extraordinary job.

I'm actually just watching this today and it is fascinating and chilling . Nothing but respect for those officers , it does seem that the police have so changed their attitude to this kind of offence now that can only be a good thing..

I also watched it and found it riveting. It is good to see the change of attitude over the years. I am amazed that some have stayed in that job for so long because of the way that it affected them. I think that it is on tonight and tomorrow.

Just noticed that The Detectives is a 3-parter. Tonight at 9pm in centres on the interrogation of Ray Teret.

Snap, Charleygirl!

Thanks for the heads up whenim64, I'd thought it was a weekly 3 parter.

I watched it and share the positive views expressed here about the ordinary police officers, doing an extraordinary job. Well done to GMP for setting up a team to investigate serious sexual offences. It's long overdue and the officers came over as genuine and dedicated.

I grew up in Gtr Manchester and remember the rumours about Saville and his pal Ray Territt. My next door neighbour was a year older than me when I was 16, and told my parents she'd keep me safe if they allowed me to go into Manchester with her to a club where Saville was dj. She warned me not to go near him because 'everyone knows he likes young girls' she said he may invite me to choose a record or go back to his room but to just keep well away. She added that although I was just 16 I was very tall and could pass for 17 so he would probably not be interested in me because i looked too old.

Yes, it was chilling to see the forensic examination of Terrett's flat,all those names still there under layers of paint and wallpaper.

I just watched Episode 1 on catch up. I also found it fascinating. However, I felt very sorry for the convicted rapist's parents and family. I don't quite understand how it is allowed to include footage of his police interviews. Perhaps because he was guilty?

What was the thing with the awful Ray seeming to have to have something in his mouth all the time? Papers, what looked like bits of fabric? If I'd been one of the team questioning him I would have snatched it out!

Probably just another example of my lack of patience in some situations!

I'm thinking it was to partially cover his face? As it was, he looked like a dog carrying something in its mouth (unfair to dogs).
What an odious character, though and all that "No comment".

Think it was to cover his face, though somehow it seemed to make it add even more to his weirdness. Foul creature.
I can't begin to imagine the reactions of the young rapists' mothers when they received the calls from their sons. So many lives affected so horribly.

I did actually feel a bit sorry for the 18 year old boy with the stutter. Ray. Tenet made my skin crawl though. Great series. I didn't realise there were 3 in a row. Will watch tonight.

marelli that call to the mum also broke my heart... (not to diminish the awful crime, but I always find myself thinking of the parents).

The "no comment" nonsense always makes me so angry! I just think that everyone knows it is code for "I'm guilty" and if I were a detective I'd be hard put not to say that. I mean - if you were not guilty you'd reply, would you not?

I've got a friend who says "If you always tell the truth, then you don't have to remember anything". In other words, you don't have to think about the truth.

BTW I understand about the legal reasons why people resort to that, I'm just talking about common sense.

grannyknot I'm not sure that you friend is correct in saying if you always tell the truth you don't have to remember anything". I believe quite a lot of research has been done which shows that memory is unreliable.

eloethan I don't think it is meant to be taken that literally. To me it means you don't have to think too hard about what you're saying if you are telling the truth, whereas when you're making something up, you do have to think hard about it.

I worked out long ago in my life that the greater the detail and the longer the story, the bigger the lie (which is mentioned in the programme by one of the detectives).

I don't understand why they want to make programmes like this. Or why anyone would want to watch it. Entertainment through other people's misery?

It's just too horrible all round. You won't help to fix anything by watching.

It's not "entertainment" But it informs , enlightens and educates as well as giving a valuable insight into the workings of investigations which have been very much in the news.
TV isn't just there to entertain, after all, is it?

No it's not "entertainment" , but it is enlightening. Surely we need to understand the hoops the police have to jump through to convict some of these people? I have learnt a lot by watching the first 2 and I am looking forward to the final one. I know what happens ( I read the papers) but there is a lot of behind the scenes stuff here that I had no idea about. I must say I am impressed with the female officer whose name I can't remember. She is so professional. Not that I'd expect anything less, but it puts a human face to many of the things you hear about. I certainly feel more informed.

Suzie I know the one you mean, she us brilliant.

The show is not entertaining but it certainly is enlightening.

To be honest Soutra, I don't think I need to be informed, enlightened, or educated about how the police deal with these cases. Enough for me to know that they do.

I do watch television for entertainment. Rarely for educational purposes.

It's good to see a lot of misunderstandings put to rest on programmes like this, not least the notion that historic sexual abuse shouldn't be dealt with because evidence will be non-existent or sparse.

But jingle it does educate people which I think needs to happen especially as you get older. I've got set in my ways about the sort of crimes that are detailed in these programmes. Especially the it was different times then attitude.