A terrifying true crime documentary has skyrocketed to the top of Netflix's most-watched charts in the UK, captivating audiences with the story of one of Britain's largest ever criminal manhunts.
Manhunt: Chasing The Fox, which details the hunt for sex offender Malcolm Fairley, was added to the streaming platform on Sunday, November 23. Although it first aired on Channel 5 in 2023, its release on Netflix has sparked a massive wave of interest from subscribers.
The Reign of Terror
The two-part series focuses on the six-month search for Malcolm Fairley, who was finally arrested in September 1984. During his time on the loose, Fairley committed a staggering 81 offences across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Hertfordshire.
He earned the moniker 'The Fox' due to his bizarre and chilling habit of constructing hidden 'dens' inside his victims' homes. Using furniture and blankets, he would create hiding places where he would lie in wait, often armed with a shotgun. Fairley would spend hours in these homes, sometimes preparing food, watching television, and rifling through personal belongings.
A Nation Gripped by Fear
As news of the predator's crimes spread, widespread fear gripped the local communities. The public response was extreme, with some residents taking the law into their own hands.
Vigilante groups were formed to patrol the streets, and many people began bolting their windows shut at night, terrified that The Fox might target them next. The documentary highlights how the intense fear he generated changed the daily lives of people across the Home Counties.
The Dramatic Capture
The massive police operation, which involved over 200 officers, finally led to Fairley's capture. A crucial breakthrough came from forensic evidence that connected his car to one of the attacks.
Malcolm Fairley was subsequently convicted and sentenced to six life sentences. He died at the age of 71 from a heart attack while serving his time at HMP Hull.
The series' arrival on Netflix has triggered a strong reaction on social media. One viewer on X (formerly Twitter) called the documentary 'absolutely insane', while another who lived in the area at the time recalled, 'people were petrified'.
Currently, Manhunt: Chasing The Fox holds the number one spot on Netflix UK. It is followed by Claire Danes' psychological thriller The Beast In Me, with One Shot: With Ed Sheeran taking third place in the charts. The documentary is available to stream now.
