On 1st October 2025, BBC Panorama aired its latest undercover documentary - “Undercover in the Police.” The programme revealed secret filming inside Charing Cross Police Station, one of London’s busiest. Panorama exposed officers making racist and misogynistic remarks, revelling in the use of force, and displaying behaviours that damage public trust in policing.
The revelations come despite promises of reform. After the murder of Sarah Everard by serving officer Wayne Couzens, the Metropolitan Police pledged to restore confidence. Since 2022, more than 1,400 officers have been dismissed or resigned during a clampdown on so-called “rogue officers.” Yet Panorama’s footage suggests toxic attitudes haven’t disappeared, they’ve simply been driven underground.
The Met has responded by suspending eight officers and one staff member, with referrals made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
What Does This Mean for Justice?
At M.A.J Law, we are specialist motoring defence solicitors. Our work regularly places us at the intersection of police conduct and individual rights. While the majority of police officers are dedicated professionals, the documentary highlights an uncomfortable truth: there are times when abuse of power, prejudice or simple procedural failings impact ordinary people.
We know this first-hand. Many of our clients come to us because they feel their case hasn’t been handled fairly. Some report:
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Being treated with hostility or intimidation during roadside stops or interviews.
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Procedural shortcuts – such as failures to follow the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) when collecting breath, blood or urine samples.
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Unfair assumptions made about them based on appearance, age or background.
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Disproportionate use of power that leaves clients feeling criminalised before any evidence is presented.
These are not just minor oversights. They are the same types of cultural failings Panorama exposed, and in the context of motoring law, they can be the difference between conviction and acquittal.
Real-Life Examples
To illustrate how these issues play out, here are just some examples from our own cases:
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Breathalyser procedure ignored: One client was stopped for suspected drink driving. The officer failed to give the statutory warning before conducting a breath test – a legal requirement. When challenged in court, the officer admitted he “must have said it but didn’t remember.” The judge agreed the process had not been followed. The evidence was excluded and the case collapsed.
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Blood sample contamination: In another case, a client was accused of being nearly twice the legal limit for cocaine. We requested the raw laboratory data and discovered evidence of cross-contamination caused by police storage errors. Once this was exposed, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) dropped the case entirely.
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Biased assumptions: A young man from a minority background was pulled over multiple times on his commute home. On the final occasion, police claimed they could “smell cannabis” and arrested him for drug driving. Toxicology results later showed he was completely negative. This case showed how dangerous officer assumptions can be when they replace proper evidence.
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Failure to follow medical safeguards: A client with asthma struggled to provide a reliable breath sample. By law, officers should have offered a blood test as an alternative – but they refused. This breach of procedure meant the prosecution’s case was fatally flawed.
One of our clients recently told us:
“From the moment I was pulled over, I felt like I’d already been judged guilty. The officer spoke to me like I was a criminal before any tests had even been done. He looked at me like dirt and took no interest in anything I had to say, despite me being polite and co-operative. I tried to explain that my asthma made it difficult to blow into the breath machine, but he just laughed and said I was wasting his time. I walked away feeling humiliated and terrified that my career would be over because of how I’d been treated.”
This experience echoes the same themes Panorama uncovered: intimidation, a lack of respect, and a disregard for proper process. For our client, it wasn’t about “getting off on a technicality”, it was about being treated fairly and having their side of the story heard.
Beyond the aforementioned individual cases , these examples highlight a wider issue - the balance of power between motorists and the police. Most people only ever deal with the police when something has gone wrong, such as a roadside stop or an accident. In these moments, the officer’s decisions carry huge weight: whether to arrest, whether to proceed with a charge, and how evidence is recorded. If that officer approaches the situation with bias, hostility or a disregard for procedure, the motorist is placed at an immediate disadvantage. Without legal representation, many people assume the police must be right, but Panorama’s revelations show why it is so important to question and challenge the process.
Why We Fight
Our role at M.A.J Law is not simply to “get people off.” It is to ensure the justice system functions as it should - fairly, transparently, and without prejudice.
When the police fail to follow the rules, when cultural attitudes cloud judgment, or when evidence is mishandled, it is our responsibility to challenge it. This is not a loophole. It is the law.
Every motorist has the right to:
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Be treated fairly and with respect.
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Have evidence gathered lawfully.
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Be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The Panorama investigation reinforces why these principles matter. Without them, trust in the justice system erodes.
Looking Ahead
The Met says it is committed to reform, and public trust depends on it. But Panorama makes clear there is still work to do. True change requires more than suspensions and statements - it requires a culture of accountability at every level of policing.
For our part, we will continue to stand beside motorists, scrutinise the actions of police, and fight to protect our clients’ rights. Because justice is not just about punishment, it’s about fairness.
If you believe your case has been mishandled by the police, or if you have concerns about how evidence was obtained, contact M.A.J Law today. Our team of specialist motoring defence solicitors will review your case and fight to protect your rights.
