BBC Scotland documentary on 'young teams' to air next week

Street Gangs is an upcoming three-part BBC series that will delve into what drives violence and mob mentality, as well as how social media plays a role.

The broadcaster has revealed that the first episode will air on Wednesday, October 4 on BBC Scotland.

Based on the best-selling book The Young Team by author and ex-gang member Graeme Armstrong, Street Gangs looks at Scotland’s ‘young teams’ to find out what life is like inside a modern gang.

Graeme, from Airdrie, escaped that life through a combination of education and art but with the documentary he aims to explore why so many young people are attracted to street gangs or ‘young team’ life and how for some, it's not so easy to get out. 

Expect conversations which will reveal the reasons some fall into that life, and Graeme will also explore his own past in more depth. 

The project is being produced by Tern TV, whose series with social commentator Darren McGarvey for BBC Scotland recently won a BAFTA for Best Documentary Series.

As part of a new initiative from BBC Scotland and Screen Scotland to back emerging directors, two out of the three episodes will be directed by up-and-coming talents, Jo Pagan and Alistair Ferguson, who will be overseen by series producer Pete Stanton.

Alistair Ferguson (Image: BBC Scotland)

Tony Nellany, BBC Scotland channel manager and commissioning executive, said: “BBC Scotland has a strong track record in supporting and developing talent in front and behind the scenes.

“Working with Screen Scotland, we are delighted with the talent and the commissioned projects which have come through in the first year of this new initiative.

“Documentary filmmaking has always been a strength of the TV sector here in Scotland, but in the wake of the pandemic, it was possibly more difficult for aspiring directors to make connections.”