ITV Drama 'Believe Me' Examines John Worboys Victims' Fight for Justice
New Series Highlights Police Failures in "Black Cab Rapist" Case
Image: Matt Weston / AI
Sarah Connor
ITV has premiered "Believe Me," a new true crime drama focusing on the victims of John Worboys and their pursuit of justice.
The series chronicles the harrowing experiences of women targeted by Worboys, who operated as a licensed taxi driver across London.
Actress Miriam Petche portrays Carrie Johnson in the drama, which focuses on the Metropolitan Police's investigative failures.
Victims of John Worboys assert the Metropolitan Police did not 'thoroughly investigate their allegations,' a claim central to the new production.
Carrie Johnson, married to Boris Johnson and mother of four children, expects 'Believe Me' to serve as a critical wake-up call for the police, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and the parole board.
Far too often, women and girls are failed by the very institutions meant to protect them.
The drama selects its cases from a large number of suspected further victims.
Police believe Worboys attacked more than 100 women in London during his reign of terror.
Beyond the immediate narrative, the historical context of police handling of sexual assault cases reveals a troubling, persistent pattern.
A 1982 documentary episode showed police questioning of a rape victim, prompting public outcry and the formation of an all-female rape investigation team.
Despite these past reforms and the establishment of specialised units, conviction rates for rape remain stubbornly low across the country.
This persistent issue pressures key stakeholders, including the Metropolitan Police and the Crown Prosecution Service.
The public demands accountability and effective protection for women and girls, a sentiment amplified by a series of high-profile cases.
Sarah Adams, one of Worboys' victims, was raped by her black cab driver 20 years ago.
Police openly doubted Adams' claims, ignoring crucial evidence and implying her drinking caused the incident.
These charges against the Met carry a horrible familiarity, echoing past criticisms of their investigative practices and victim treatment.
The landscape of justice for sexual assault victims continues to evolve, with media and public pressure driving calls for systemic change.
Meanwhile, the ongoing parole hearing for Worboys proceeds as a paper review, not a public hearing, limiting transparency for victims and the wider public.
This closed process intensifies scrutiny on the parole board's decisions and their potential impact on public safety.
Ultimately, the drama aims to contribute to a broader societal shift, pushing institutions to better serve and protect vulnerable individuals.