Ex-detective discusses ‘exciting’ TV appearance
29 October 2025
A former Federation member says representing the Force on a highly rated BBC true crime documentary was a ‘proud moment’ to close out his policing career.
Leighton Harding recently featured on the second season of Murder 24/7, which aired on BBC Two throughout June and gave an exclusive insight into West Mercia Police’s around-the-clock response to homicide.
Working as a Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) – the rank at which he retired from the Force last year – Leighton was central to focus of the season’s fourth and fifth episodes.
He was the senior investigating officer for an incident in Worcester involving both a murder and an attempted murder.
The case was just one of numerous captured by a television crew who had followed officers around over a sustained period.
Retired Detective Chief Inspector Leighton Harding.
Once the programme was in post-production, however, Leighton says the news that it would make the final cut for broadcast came as little surprise.
“Throughout their time with us, the crew were very close to everything we were doing – as soon as we got word of something happening, the cameras and microphones were turned on,” he explained.
“The case at hand in my episodes was a challenging and disturbing one, so it made sense they chose it for air.
Major Investigations Unit
“A big part of the show’s emphasis was on the challenges and realities of our work in the Force’s Major Investigations Unit – as a DCI, I led the south half of this unit – as well as the social issues that sit behind these cases.
“It showed our process as a force and how we keep faith in it, whether that’s to prove or indeed disprove a murder, and it was certainly very exciting to be involved in.”
Leighton went on to reveal how he found being repeatedly filmed while doing his job in an already high-pressure environment.
“It definitely took some getting used to, as it was unprecedented access for a TV company into our world,” he continued.
“At first, I felt quite self-conscious, although it ultimately never changed my work. Eventually, I fully got to grips with it, and the crew just became a part of our fabric and that process I mentioned.
Professional
“They were so professional and always made us as comfortable as they possibly could.”
And Leighton’s high regard for the programme makers was only enhanced when he watched himself in action last month, as episodes four and five were broadcast on Monday 23 June.
The 49-year-old says he was struck by how well produced the content was – made even more impressive by the knowledge of how many hours of footage would have been edited and brought together for one digestible viewing experience.
“It was incredible, really, when you know how much work has gone into making it all happen.
“Naturally, it wasn’t the easiest thing in the world to see or hear myself on TV, but once I got over that self-critical stage, it became a very proud moment.
Murder 24/7
“I’m also very proud of my colleagues who appeared too. There’ll always be the lead investigator in a case, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg – there’s an absolute machine behind you which needs everyone to contribute.”
Almost a year into his retirement, Leighton added that watching Murder 24/7 made him feel like he was right back in the thick of policing.
“Retiring found its way to me, and the time was right. Since then, I’ve had a break to decompress from a 30-year career, including 24 years as a detective.
“But seeing the programme has made me reminisce and begin to miss it all – it’s such an intense show that I almost felt like I hadn’t actually retired.
“I absolutely loved my time as a police officer, and this coming as one of the lasting memories towards the end of my career is a true privilege,” he ended.
You can catch Leighton on Murder 24/7 now on BBC iPlayer.
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