Kidnap Cops was broadcast in the UK on Thursday, 13 April, 2006 at 2100 BST on BBC Two. This page is now closed. Thank you for your emails.
The comments published below reflect a balance of views we received.
As a police officer with dual Brazilian/British nationality and a frequent visitor to Brazil, I found this programme fascinating, not only because of my occupation and being a Brazilian national, but from the fantastic access given to the film makers to the kidnappers. It also showed the value these desperate criminals place on human life.
As a cop I admired the honesty and loyalty shown by the anti-kidnap team leader and was delighted that your film showed him as a dedicated family man, as we all are. There is a common bond among cops which only they can comprehend and I certainly understood all the fears and elations which he and his team went through, though thankfully I don't live in fear of losing my life everytime I leave the office. Well done again for such an enlightening programme.
Ron Johnston, UK
I'm a promoter of Brazilian culture and music and although I do not deny bad things go on in Brazil, I'm basically fighting a losing battle because of programmes like This World. My wife is from Rio and I have been to Brazil five times and quite frankly we are fed up with people talking about "street kids" and "crime" there because that is all they see about Brazil on British TV and in the newspapers. I've seen more shootings and violence here in Liverpool! Change the subject! It's becoming boring!!!
John Rowlands, Liverpool
As I myself have been kidnapped while living in Brazil, I found this programme of particular interest. Very well made and informative. My kidnapping ordeal ended when my abductor was shot dead and I had to identify his body among various corpses after a gun battle with police.
Richie, Gloucestershire
I can't help thinking that this programame will leave people in the UK with the wrong impression about Brazil. Having lived in Sao Paulo for a time I know that it can be a dangerous city, but provided you take the right precautions and don't draw attention to yourself, it is a fantastic country.
Simon, London
Drugs, kidnappings, robberies are not and will never be a way of protesting or showing the dissatisfactions of a group in society. It cannot go on like this. Life for the hardworking Brazilian middle class is being transformed into an eternal nightmare.
Cristiano De Oliveira, Shrewsbury
I feel the government needs to do something quick. I also want to commend Wagner for what he is doing and hope for his safety. Many men would have buckled at the idea of being a cop, especially hearing your friends being murdered and killed. Good job Wagner. Best of luck.
Alex, Portsmouth
Kidnappers deserve no sympathy whatsoever. There are millions of poor Brazilians who don't resort to fiendish acts the way they do, so why make excuses for the ones who do? However the massive inequality between rich & poor must be addressed. Corruption must also be eradicated ruthlessly. I admire Wagner, and hope there are more policeman like him. Fantastic documentary.
Omar Siddiqui, Birmingham
Shock, horror and other adjectives like these! This programme was a shocking insight into life in Brazil. I hope the policeman in the programme keeps himself safe and I wish him luck.
William, Edinburgh
I was very impressed by Wagner, I feel he is one in a million, a very special person blessed with courage, wisdom, humility and compassion - a rare balance. To face such a task as he does and remain balanced and able to enjoy the beauty of his family life and the beauty of music (he plays and sings with great soul and talent), is truly a remarkable thing. And through the programme he has achieved one of his aims - to improve the reputation of the Brazilian police. I for one was surprised and uplifted by the obvious honesty of Wagner and his colleagues.
Mark, Brighton
Tremendous programme. One thing though, there was no comment on the terrible racial divide in Brazil, although I suppose it was very apparent in the film - for example all of the football execs from Santos looked like businessmen from Lisbon! Really good though.
Ken Walshe, Dublin
I can't believe the access the film-makers had to every aspect of this subject. They clearly cultivated a good relationship with kidnappers, police, and victims alike and did an outstanding job.
Mary, Brussels
I was the victim of a sequestro relampago (flash kidnapping) in Belo Horizonte and have also been held up a couple of times (there and in Recife). The memories of what happened never leave me even though they no longer keep me awake at night. That was a very good programme. Thanks beeb!
Garret, London
I am a Brazilian living in London. The programme reflected very well the reality of Sao Paulo, congratulations.
H, London
Announcing the arrest of the kidnapper who likes to be called "Bin Laden" strikes me as foolish. In publicly highlighting what made this man so unique and special, surely he is raising the bar and challenging more would-be kidnappers to surmount this man's "achievements"? Some may complain about the role of the media but the government is not helping itself. A thoroughly absorbing documentary nonetheless.
James Norden, London
Although one can never condone such acts of kidnapping, one can not feel hatred for these people. One can see that the extreme inequality has driven those without an income and opportunities to exploit those more fortunate. Brazil must not fight the crime, but the motivation behind the crime - desperate poverty.
Jason Salt, Colchester
This current trend for kidnapping in the criminal world only seems to highlight the desperate lengths that people will go to. Ultimately people from favelas have no opportunities to better their lives. They would jump at the chance for a job, even though the wages are abysmal.
Nicholas Huntriss, Brazil