Letter: 'Crimewatch' and copycats

Sir: With reference to Jonathan Foster's report on the murder of Eve Howells, ("The family who killed their mother", 12 February), I am deeply concerned that a statement made by a 15-year-old murder defendant has been accepted by your newspaper as fact without any attempt at verification. I refer to the claim made that: "Glenn was inspired by the Crimewatch programme to take a hammer to his mother."

As an appeals programme committed to helping solve serious crimes, Crimewatch UK operates under strict internal guidelines which are rigidly adhered to at all times. One of these is never to reveal details which might encourage or assist copycat crimes. In all the reporting about Glenn Howells's testimony, no reference is made to a specific case featured on the programme.

SEETHA KUMAR

Series Producer, Crimewatch UK

BBC

London W12