Police launch review over 'Benefits Street' footage

A petition has been launched to ask Channel 4 to stop broadcasting the show 'Benefits Street' and to make a donation to charity 'for the harm caused' by the programme. Channel 4 say they will continue to broadcast the remaining episodes.

The first episode of the four-part series, based in Birmingham, has been criticised by the organisers of the petition for 'stirring up hatred.'

In the programme Channel 4 spoke to people living on benefits in a street in Birmingham. The petition's organisers say the broadcast caused people to write abuse on Twitter about people on benefits.

In a statement Channel 4 said:

'We are confident this is a fair and balanced portrait of a street where many people receive benefits.

We will continue to broadcast the series for four episodes to come. We hope people will see other elements of the community as the series progresses and urge people to keep watching.'

The controversial documentary Benefits Street is a "misrepresentation" of life for people on social security, according to a senior MP.

Dame Anne Begg says the Channel 4 show claimed it would portray life on a street where three-quarters of residents were on benefits, but then focused almost exclusively on those receiving unemployment benefits, which make up only a small proportion of the overall social security bill.

She said: "What struck me is it was called Benefits Street and then three-quarters or more of the programme followed one storyline which was about a petty criminal and shoplifter and how he lived on the proceeds of his crime, rather than the reality of what people face when they live on benefits."

The documentary depicted the lives of residents of James Turner Street in Birmingham, sparked hundreds of complaints to the broadcasting watchdog Ofcom and Channel 4 about the way it portrayed people on benefits. Some residents claimed they were tricked by film-makers into taking part.

But Channel 4 insists that it was "very clear and transparent" with those taking part about the nature of the programme it envisaged.

More: Thousands sign petition against Benefits Street

Fans of the Channel 4 documentary series Benefits Street have turned the Birmingham street into a tourist attraction.

The Birmingham Mail reported that people have been taking selfies next to the James Turner Street sign and uploading them to Twitter and Facebook.

Channel 4 have been accused of "stirring up hatred" through their controversial programme Benefits Street and thousands have signed a petition against the show.

Read: Thousands sign petition against Benefits Street

Channel 4 has defended its 'Benefits Street' documentary, which was filmed on John Turner Street in Winson Green in Birmingham.

West Midlands Police are now reviewing the footage which was broadcast last night, which it believes showed criminal activity taking place. Channel 4 said:

Responding to the accusations today contributors who took part in the filming were 'misled' they said:

Read: Police 'inundated' with complaints over Benefits Street

A senior police officer has revealed officers were "inundated" with comments from people concerned about some of the activities shown on TV documentary Benefits Street.

Supt Danny Long, from West Midlands Police, said officers saw footage of apparent criminal activity shown on the Channel 4 programme for the first time when it aired yesterday.

He said the force had not been involved in the programme, meaning they were not aware what it might show until it was broadcast.

A review has now been launched of the footage to assess whether any criminal investigation is needed.

He added:

Like many people across the country, we saw the footage broadcast on the programme for the first time last night.

Throughout the programme and in the hours that have followed, we have been inundated with comments from members of the public, many of whom are concerned about elements of show.

We are currently assessing whether the content of the programme can assist us as part of any ongoing investigations or indeed whether any new inquiries should be launched in light of the material that has been broadcast.

He added that neighbourhood police officers in the James Turner Street area of Winson Green in Birmingham - where the documentary was filmed - enjoyed a "very positive" relationship with residents for the most part, and said people in the area were generally supportive of the police.

There is no suggestion that any of the people pictured here were involved in any of the activity under review.

Police have today launched a review of footage captured by TV documentary Benefits Street following complaints about possible criminal activity caught on camera.

The programme, broadcast by Channel 4 yesterday, followed residents in James Turner Street in Winson Green, Birmingham.

Officers from West Midlands Police said they were "inundated" with comments from viewers throughout the programme and in the hours afterwards expressing concerns over some of the activity shown.

They have now launched a review of the footage to assess whether any criminal investigations should be carried out.