The upcoming instalment has already been dubbed a ‘heartbreaking’ watch
Aaliyah Rugg Senior reporter
12:18, 20 Jan 2026
24 Hours in Police Custody Investigates: Zombie Knives airs tonight on Channel 4(Image: Channel 4)
A hugely popular true crime documentary is set to return to TV screens tonight (January 20) with an unmissable special episode.
24 Hours in Police Custody will once again return to Channel 4 this evening at 9pm with a special investigation episode, set to be a “heartbreaking” watch.
The landmark documentary first aired in 2014 and became a huge hit with true crime fans, delving into the world of crime and following a real-life police force in the race against time. Capturing the drama that unfolds, the series follows detectives as they investigate major crimes, as fans brand it the “best show ever”.
A special episode will explore an investigation into lethal weapons(Image: Channel 4)
The popular documentary returned earlier this month as the first episode of the new season, following Bedfordshire Police’s covert investigation into criminals using the encrypted phone networks.
Titled 24 Hours in Police Custody: The Secret Network, fans were eagerly awaiting the next instalment, and it drops tonight.
Tonight’s instalment (January 20), viewers will be plunged into a real-life investigation into the epidemic of knife crime violence, with an episode titled 24 Hours in Police Custody Investigates: Zombie Knives
Channel 4 teases: “A compelling look at how lethal weapons deliberately designed to appeal to young people are linked to at least 14 murders in the UK.”
Already, excitement is buzzing about the brand-new watch, which is said to be a “heartbreaking” episode. On X, one fan wrote: “24 Hours in Police Custody on C4 tonight at 9pm might be worth a watch.”
Over on TikTok, one user said in a video: “Strap in because this looks like it’s going to be a really, really heartbreaking episode. This is a special episode, so it’s titled 24 Hours in Police Custody investigates…”
The special 24 Hours in Police Custody episode has already been dubbed a ‘heartbreaking’ watch(Image: Channel 4)
The user added: “I do think tomorrow’s (January 20) episode does look very, very interesting, looks to be a lot going on, and I do think it’s going to be really, really, really sad.”
All episodes of 24 Hours in Police Custody are available to stream on Channel 4’s website, and fans have praised the series as the “best show ever”.
Speaking about the show, one person wrote: “What an unbelievable piece of TV.” Another added: “It’s a fact that 24 hours in police custody is the best show on TV.”
A third penned: “@Channel4 #24hoursinpolicecustody is the best TV show of its kind ever. Well done to all those involved.”
Another commented: “Sorry, but #24hoursinpolicecustody is one of the most outstanding pieces of programming to come to our screens in the last decade. Absolutely compelling, addictive television. And brilliantly made. Bravo whoever commissioned this.”
Fans will also be delighted to hear that another episode will air next week (Tuesday, January 27) titled 24 Hours in Police Custody: Burying Horror, which will explore the real-life investigation into one of the country’s worst serial paedophiles.
24 Hours in Police Custody Investigates: Zombie Knives airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 4.
