2026 Nominees

Undercover in the Police

BBC Panorama

UK

- Crime & Investigative

Undercover in the Police is the BBC's flagship Panorama programme’s most high profile investigation of the year, revealing secretly-filmed evidence of racism, misogyny, and officers revelling in the use of force. Working as a Designated Detention Officer, reporter Rory Bibb spent seven months filming covertly, undercover in Charing Cross police station, which is one of London’s busiest. The programme was generating headlines even before it was aired, following receipt of the right of reply correspondence, the Metropolitan Police announced suspensions and a complete reorganisation of the custody suite at Charing Cross. While the pre-broadcast coverage generated by the Met’s move may have heightened interest in the film, it did not lessen the jaw-dropping impact when the footage was actually screened. After broadcast Panorama’s revelations filled scores of front pages and many more column inches, as well as rival broadcasters’ bulletins both across the UK and internationally.