Brunt explained that the relationships of “the good old days” no longer exist. In those days, criminals didn’t mind the publicity and would often make the acquaintance of a crime reporter. Brunt says “ Today’s criminals don’t go courting publicity,” and it is much more difficult to get in contact with them.

Police relations were another big topic for Brunt. “Police corruption has always been a delicate issue for crime hacks. What's acceptable in return for help on a story?” Brunt said that a case of Scotch used to be the standard, but now that would be seen as bribery. Brunt jokes, “Maybe the gift of a dozen bottles of whisky is acceptable if I help drink them?”

Police access has also gotten more difficult for crime reporters over the years, with some contacts from Scotland Yard going into hiding after the Condon anti-corruption drive. However, when Sir John (now Lord) Stevens took over as commissioner, he improved access and encouraged officers to talk with crime reporters. But still, most senior detectives that Brunt contacted didn’t take that seriously, and were still not very open.

Today, there are still monthly briefings for crime reporters, but Brunt says an interesting story rarely comes from those meetings. The crime reporters now really rely on press officers, rather than cops themselves.

Brunt believes now that “terror overshadows everything” and to keep up with it, more contacts tan just the police are needed. Brunt says contacts with Home Office, Crown prosecutors, Customs, lawyers, politicians, religious leaders, community chiefs and academics are all important nowadays.

Terror has also put a strain on relations with police, according to Brunt. This is because police do not want reporters to leak information that could endanger safety and lives or prejudice a trial.

However, Brunt thinks some good has come out of the focus on terror. It has opened access to areas that were once secret or off limits to reporters. Before 9/11 the existence of the secret service was barely acknowledged, but now it has its own website. Brunt also reports being invited to Fort Halstead, the governments explosives research laboratory, this year. He says,“ The place still doesn't exist, according to my car's satellite navigation system.”

Brunt reports that the Serious and Organized Crime Agency is one that has not opened up access to reporters and is “discreet to the point of obstruction.”

Brunt also says that more recently because of 24 hour TV news, police forces have had to “sharpen up their act,” because of the abundance of live broadcasts.

Brunt concludes by saying that being a crime reporter still means making personal contacts to succeed, just in different ways than crime reporters of previous generations.

Source: Guardian.co.UK