Crime Next Door
BBC Sounds
Gripping True Crime stories from neighbourhoods across the UK.Series 7. The Ballad of Big Mags
A vigilante matriarch with dark secrets comes to regret stepping into the media spotlight.Previously on Crime Next Door:Series 1. An Assassin Comes to Town
Gunshots kickstart an extraordinary tale of state terrorism. Series 2. Servants and Saints
Exploring the story and allegations of a global religious group.Series 3. Death on the Farm
After fifty years the community of Llangolman seek justice. Series 4. The Salisbury Poisonings
Follow the public inquiry into the death of Dawn Sturgess.Series 5. The Golden Toilet Heist
Exploring a story of art, mystery and a solid gold toilet stolen from a British palace.Series 6: Who Killed The Shakoors?
A father is the sole survivor of a house fire that killed his wife and five children. Follow his story of unimaginable loss and the on-going fight for justice.
A vigilante matriarch with dark secrets comes to regret stepping into the media spotlight.Previously on Crime Next Door:Series 1. An Assassin Comes to Town
Gunshots kickstart an extraordinary tale of state terrorism. Series 2. Servants and Saints
Exploring the story and allegations of a global religious group.Series 3. Death on the Farm
After fifty years the community of Llangolman seek justice. Series 4. The Salisbury Poisonings
Follow the public inquiry into the death of Dawn Sturgess.Series 5. The Golden Toilet Heist
Exploring a story of art, mystery and a solid gold toilet stolen from a British palace.Series 6: Who Killed The Shakoors?
A father is the sole survivor of a house fire that killed his wife and five children. Follow his story of unimaginable loss and the on-going fight for justice.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 28, 2025 • 23min
6. The Gold
A top bullion dealer explains how the toilet could have disappeared and where the gold might be today. Meanwhile, Jimmy Sheen’s pocketed £520,000 from the gold sale and an investigation shows he’s made big money from other crimes. Explore where his missing millions could be and whether they will ever be in the hands of the police.Presenter: Clodagh Stenson.
Producer: Jonathan Eden and William McLennan.
Sound Designer: Meic Parry.
Story Consultants: Graham Russell and Jack Kibble-White.
Executive Producers: Peter Cooke and Peter Cook.
Online Producer: Rachael Smith.
Commissioner: Al Miskin.
Apr 21, 2025 • 22min
5. The Fence
A trial begins and the three defendants plead not guilty. Details emerge about reconnaissance trips to Blenheim made days before the heist. Also, Jimmy Sheen’s voice notes are shared. They offer a rare chance to eavesdrop on the crime as it’s happening, uncovering how he cashed in on his golden loot.Presenter: Clodagh Stenson.
Producer: Jonathan Eden and William McLennan.
Sound Designer: Meic Parry.
Story Consultants: Graham Russell and Jack Kibble-White.
Executive Producers: Peter Cooke and Peter Cook.
Online Producer: Rachael Smith.
Commissioner: Al Miskin.Image: Getty
Apr 14, 2025 • 24min
4. The Thief
Four years later a toilet thief is unmasked as James ‘Jimmy’ Sheen. An investigation uncovers Sheen's dark past leading up to the Blenheim burglary with a career of crime that began in his twenties. The ringleader of multiple gangs, he's tied to violent thefts, nationwide fraud and a shooting in Coventry.Presenter: Clodagh Stenson.
Producer: Jonathan Eden and William McLennan.
Sound Designer: Meic Parry.
Story Consultants: Graham Russell and Jack Kibble-White.
Executive Producers: Peter Cooke and Peter Cook.
Online Producer: Rachael Smith.
Commissioner: Al Miskin.Image: Getty
Apr 7, 2025 • 17min
3. The Failures and The Fakes
As the palace reopens to the public, curious visitors flock to witness the infamous crime scene. Behind the scenes, Blenheim’s Chief Executive scrambles to tighten palace security. An internationally renowned art hunter is hired by the insurers to hunt the golden treasure. Meanwhile playful sightings of fake golden toilets pop up across Oxfordshire.Presenter: Clodagh Stenson.
Producer: Jonathan Eden and William McLennan.
Sound Designer: Meic Parry.
Story Consultants: Graham Russell and Jack Kibble-White.
Executive Producers: Peter Cooke and Peter Cook.
Online Producer: Rachael Smith.
Commissioner: Al Miskin.Image: Getty.
Mar 31, 2025 • 19min
2. The Rumour
Stunned Blenheim Palace staff are coming to terms with an early morning raid as the gang make their getaway with the £5 million gold toilet.Meanwhile, rumours swirl about who could have orchestrated the heist with fingers pointing to the toilet’s creator, Maurizio Cattelan, who has a history of elaborate stunts. When the artist shares a statement denying any involvement a police investigation is launched and the hunt for the real robbers begins.Presenter: Clodagh Stenson.
Producer: Jonathan Eden and William McLennan.
Sound Designer: Meic Parry.
Story Consultants: Graham Russell and Jack Kibble-White.
Executive Producers: Peter Cooke and Peter Cook.
Online Producer: Rachael Smith.
Commissioner: Al Miskin.Image: Getty.
Mar 25, 2025 • 20min
1. The Heist
The mystery of one of Britain’s weirdest art heists begins at an exhibition party at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, in September 2019.A £5 million solid gold toilet, created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, is centre-piece at the exhibition. Hours after partygoers leave it is stolen by a masked gang.The events are a shock for the palace staff who witness the heist and its aftermath, including guest services manager Eleanor Paice and Chief Executive Dominic Hare.Presenter: Clodagh Stenson.
Producer: Jonathan Eden and William McLennan.
Sound Designer: Meic Parry.
Story Consultants: Graham Russell and Jack Kibble-White.
Executive Producers: Peter Cooke and Peter Cook.
Online Producer: Rachael Smith.
Commissioner: Al Miskin. Image: Getty.
Mar 18, 2025 • 2min
Introducing... The Golden Toilet Heist
A story of art, mystery and a solid gold, fully plumbed in toilet stolen from a British palace.With behind-the-scenes access at Blenheim Palace, we explore the inside story of the heist and its fallout. Installed as part of an art exhibition, the £5 million toilet was notorious prior to its theft. Those behind the burglary remained a mystery for years. In 2025, with reporting restrictions lifted, we finally reveal their identities and the criminal past that led them to the toilet. It's a tale of art and wealth but also security failures, ruthless criminals and missing millions.Presenter: Clodagh Stenson.
Producer: Jonathan Eden and William McLennan.
Sound Designer: Meic Parry.
Story Consultants: Graham Russell and Jack Kibble-White.
Executive Producers: Peter Cooke and Peter Cook.
Online Producer: Rachael Smith.
Commissioner: Al Miskin. Image: Getty
Dec 9, 2024 • 23min
20. The Repercussions
Frank Gardner, the BBC's security correspondent, shares his insights on the devastating impact of the Salisbury poisonings. He discusses the ongoing Dawn Sturgess Inquiry and its potential to bring justice. The conversation dives into the mixed community reactions and the broader implications for UK-Russia relations. Gardner emphasizes the shift in Russian tactics from high-profile attacks to subterfuge. Personal stories of grief and the struggle for transparency also reveal the complexities surrounding national security and accountability.
Dec 4, 2024 • 19min
19. The Closing Statements
After 7 weeks and over a hundred hours of evidence, the public hearings of the Dawn Sturgess Inquiry come to an end. In this episode, the main participants, including Dawn’s family, make their final statements to the Chair.This episode was made by Marie Lennon, Andy Howard, Tom Ryan & Dan O’Brien.Executive production by Mary Sanders and Naomi Wordley.
Nov 28, 2024 • 17min
18. The Bottle and the Blind Spot
When the agents suspected of poisoning Sergei and Yulia Skripal with Novichok left Salisbury, what did they do with the nerve agent and how did the deadly chemical weapon end up in the hands of Charlie Rowley four months later? In this episode, we hear the most likely theories from Counter Terror Police and discover why some parts of this mystery are still unsolved. The Russian state and the suspects have always denied any involvement.This episode was made by Marie Lennon, Andy Howard, Tom Ryan & Dan O’Brien. Executive production by Mary Sanders and Naomi Wordley.
