Abigail
02-01-2008, 00:24
An eight-part special – Witness - in early 2008 is to focus on Sergeant Smith (Alex Walkinshaw) as he sets out to stop young mother Carly (Marsha Leanne Crosby) getting into trouble on the housing estate in which she lives, believing she’s a ‘good kid at heart’. But Smithy is devastated when Carly gets caught up in the crossfire of gang rivalry and is shot dead. Determined to get justice for Carly, Smithy sets out to end the tide of crime pervading the estate, and to prevent the gangs from claiming more victims.
‘Witness’ examines gang culture and how it affects local communities, with Sun Hill cops setting up a mobile unit based on the estate to get deep into the heart of the matter.
The murders of 27 teenagers in London in 2007 have inspired The Bill to focus on gang culture in an eight-part special, writes Derek Robins.
Alex Walkinshaw's character Sgt Dale Smith is central to the plot after gang violence on an estate leads to the murder of a teenage girl.
The actor, 33, said: "It's an emotional story which is very typical of what is happening in London, unfortunately."It will be screened from mid-January.
The Bill's gang special was shot on two rough estates in South London which have experienced violence in the past.
Alex said: "In one episode we built a shrine to a murder victim and some kids came up and asked, 'Who got shot here then?' We had to tell them that it was pretend. But they have had problems with violence on these estates.
"We were filming there for three months and the residents were very co-operative."
Alex hopes The Bill special will help put the spotlight on the problems which can lead to the rise of gangs.
He said: "I don't know how the problem can be solved. I suppose you have to get the children as early as possible and educate them about the consequences of their actions.
"One answer might be the return of youth clubs or more sport. I think the gang culture stems a lot from boredom and youngsters loitering in streets."
‘Witness’ examines gang culture and how it affects local communities, with Sun Hill cops setting up a mobile unit based on the estate to get deep into the heart of the matter.
The murders of 27 teenagers in London in 2007 have inspired The Bill to focus on gang culture in an eight-part special, writes Derek Robins.
Alex Walkinshaw's character Sgt Dale Smith is central to the plot after gang violence on an estate leads to the murder of a teenage girl.
The actor, 33, said: "It's an emotional story which is very typical of what is happening in London, unfortunately."It will be screened from mid-January.
The Bill's gang special was shot on two rough estates in South London which have experienced violence in the past.
Alex said: "In one episode we built a shrine to a murder victim and some kids came up and asked, 'Who got shot here then?' We had to tell them that it was pretend. But they have had problems with violence on these estates.
"We were filming there for three months and the residents were very co-operative."
Alex hopes The Bill special will help put the spotlight on the problems which can lead to the rise of gangs.
He said: "I don't know how the problem can be solved. I suppose you have to get the children as early as possible and educate them about the consequences of their actions.
"One answer might be the return of youth clubs or more sport. I think the gang culture stems a lot from boredom and youngsters loitering in streets."