'I'd rather die than ring the police': Distrust and fear in Middlesbrough after A66 crash
A BBC report explores the atmosphere of distrust and alleged gang activity in Grangetown, Middlesbrough, following a fatal police-involved car crash. Local youth express deep skepticism toward law enforcement, challenging official narratives about organized crime in the area.
Why it matters
It highlights the growing social friction and breakdown of trust between marginalized communities and police forces in the UK.
Image caption, Two young men riding a quad bike in Grangetown, Middlesbrough, came over to speak to us
It is just after 8pm in Grangetown, Middlesbrough, and the light is fading.
Two teenagers in balaclavas tear across a park on a muddy red quad bike, pulling wheelies as they pass a man walking his dog.
Younger boys, some not yet in their teens, gather excitedly around the bike.
We're here because Grangetown and neighbouring South Bank now find themselves at the centre of a large police operation, with fears organised crime is out of control after the deaths of two police officers and five young men in a car crash on the A66.
Suddenly one of our team is hit by a pellet, which appears to have been fired from the group. It stings but he's OK.
Then the quad riders pull over for a chat, engine running.
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