‘Turning away from a life of crime’ – Cambridgeshire Police’s new podcast series

A man who has spent more than half of his life in prison shares his story as part of Cambs Cops: Our Stories latest podcast series.

The new six-episode series explores the human impact of prevention work and the exceptional policing behind it.

In episode one – “I want to give myself a chance – turning away from a life of crime”, which is available to watch now – Ian Edwards, 57, formerly of London but now living in Cambridgeshire, talks about his attempts to leave his criminal past behind him.

He speaks candidly about the chaos, addiction, and anger that consumed his teenage years and led to him committing a series of armed robberies that ended with a life prison sentence.

Reflecting on three decades in prison, Ian said: “My life was chaotic, I was addicted to substances and I had problems with anger.

“That life is not what I want anymore.”

In the episode, he goes on to praise the policing work that is now helping him forge a law-abiding and hopeful future.

The episode also features Ian’s Integrated Offender Management officer PC James Beacham, who talks about the work that goes into supporting offenders and trying to steer them away from criminality.

This is the force’s fourth podcast series, previous series are available on YouTube and Spotify.