Trouble Up North (2001)

In July 2001, race riots broke out in three UK districts - Oldham, Burnley and Bradford. This series examined the role of education, housing and crime in those riots. This was a 5 x 40 minute observational documentary series. The series starts in Bradford, meeting the families appealing against the length of the prison sentences handed out, plus an interview with Imran Khan, the civil-rights lawyer fronting their campaign. The next four episodes are presented by Jeremy Bowen, who investigates the riots as a whole. The second episode focuses on how the war on terrorism has added a new dimension to cross-cultural tensions. The third episode focuses on arguments for and against segregated schools in Oldham. The fourth episode focuses on the problems of poor housing in Burnley. The fifth episode focuses on how police are trying to deal with the problems of crime - in particular drugs - without alienating the community in Bradford.