Famous and Fighting Crime stuns with threatening Penny Lancaster moment
In the first episode of a four-part series, Famous and Fighting Crime stunned viewers as a criminal suspect threatened to stab Loose Women's Penny Lancaster with a dirty needle.
The new Channel 4 programme sees Penny, presenter and model Katie Piper, Made in Chelsea's Jamie Laing, Gogglebox's Sandi Bogle and comedian Marcus Brigstocke volunteer as special constables with the Cambridgeshire police force.
And in the premiere, Penny was forced to confront demons from her past as she approached a threatening member of the public.
The Loose Women panellist found herself chasing down a suspected shoplifter who shockingly threatened to stab Penny with a "dirty needle".
Viewers were stunned as the events unfolded, with many praising Penny for her bravery.
Just catching up on #FamousAndFightingCrime and Penny chasing that girl was brave! What our police men and women do and go through to keep our streets safe is unreal!
- Short ‘n’ Sassy (@shortandsassy08) February 11, 2019
Honestly penny shouldn’t have been left on her own to chase the girl imagine if she got stabbed #FamousAndFightingCrime
- 👸🏿 (@BeauteKila) February 11, 2019
Massive respect for Penny Lancaster! #FamousAndFightingCrime
I'm quite impressed by this show so far. Showing the harsh realities of what officers face day to day!- Harry (@itsmeharryt) February 11, 2019
Fair do's to penny there , threatened with a needle and still kept going after her #FamousAndFightingCrime
- Laura cufc (@laurabarr38) February 11, 2019
One viewer tweeted: "Penny chasing that girl was brave! What our police men and women do and go through to keep our streets safe is unreal!"
While another wrote: "Honestly Penny shouldn’t have been left on her own to chase the girl imagine if she got stabbed."
Earlier in the episode, during her gruelling first day of training, Penny broke down after a constable simulated a possible scenario pretending to be a violent suspect. The training left her shaken as it brought back memories of a time she was threatened by a man.
Well done Penny for bravely sharing your story. #FamousAndFightingCrime pic.twitter.com/AIfxBC4vuR
- Channel 4 (@Channel4) February 11, 2019
Jamie Laing was also rather chuffed with himself after he singlehandedly chased down and caught a suspect, helping the constables to arrest the individual.
Famous and Fighting Crime airs Mondays at 9pm on Channel 4.
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