Brixton: Flames on the Frontline

BBC Radio 5 Live•www.bbc.co.uk

History

Forty years ago Brixton burned. It was the people versus the police.

Violence erupted on the streets.

What happened changed the face of Britain – for everyone.

Big Narstie finds out why.

Last refreshed: July 3rd, 2025 at 5:23 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Episode 8: From the Ashes

The Brixton uprising sparks a summer of discontent as rioting breaks out across the country - this is no longer just about Brixton. Questions start being asked: Why is this really happening? What are the causes? Britain is forced to start acknowledging racism, discrimination and prejudice across society. It’s the start of a conversation which is still being had today. This podcast includes strong language, use of racist terms and descriptions of violence. ---------- Credits Presenter: Big Narsti...

May 21, 2021•40 min

Episode 7: Brixton Burns

Molotov cocktails, burning buildings, police cars smashed, running battles on the streets - London has never seen anything like this. Brixton explodes in an orgy of violence fuelled by a boiling sense of anger and injustice among the black community. This podcast includes strong language, use of racist terms and descriptions of violence. ==================== Credits Presenter: Big Narstie Producer Ben Robinson Editor: Gail Champion Executive Producer: Natasha Johansson Sound Design: Richard Hann...

May 14, 2021•36 min

Episode 6: No Going Back

There is fury at a lack of compassion shown by the authorities to the victims of the New Cross Fire. Many are convinced it was a racist firebombing and accuse the police of failing to investigate properly. Thousands of people from across the country descend on London for a march to demand justice. Organisers say more than 20,000 people take part in the Black People’s Day of Action - at the time the biggest ever protest led by black people in the UK. This podcast includes strong language, use of ...

May 07, 2021•39 min

Episode 5: The Hardest Day

A birthday party ends in tragedy when 13 young people die in a house fire. People are convinced it has been caused by a racist arson attack. They feel their grief is compounded by a lack of compassion shown by the authorities. It feels like black lives don’t matter. The aftermath fuels the anger that will lead to the riots in Brixton just months later. This podcast includes strong language, use of racist terms and descriptions of violence. ==================== Credits: Presenter: Big Narstie Pro...

Apr 30, 2021•30 min

Episode 4: Sides are Taken

Sound systems. Reggae. Blues parties. Music pulses through Brixton - it’s a way of life and provides an escape from a tough world. But police are raiding parties which ratchets up resentment against the authorities. And Brixton’s thriving gay community shares this sense of persecution. ==================== This podcast includes strong language, use of racist terms and descriptions of violence. Credits: Presenter: Big Narstie Producers: Seren Jones and Maggie Latham Executive Producer: Natasha Jo...

Apr 23, 2021•34 min

Episode 3: Feel the Heat

Gangs of far right racist thugs are attacking immigrants on the streets and in their homes. Now they’re turning their attention to black power organisations and Brixton is in their sights – with terrifying consequences. And one man is on trial for a string of crimes he didn’t commit. Will the British justice system prevail? This podcast includes strong language, racist terms and descriptions of violence. Credits: Presenter: Big Narstie Producer: Seren Jones and Maggie Latham Editor: Gail Champio...

Apr 16, 2021•33 min

Episode 2: Fuel to the Fire

Resentment towards the police in Brixton grows as people face a series of injustices. But black power is fighting back. And one man’s life changes forever when he’s falsely accused of crimes he didn’t commit by an out of control police officer. This podcast includes strong language, racist terms and descriptions of violence. ---------- Credits: Presenter: Big Narstie Producer: Ben Robinson Editor: Gail Champion Executive Producer: Natasha Johansson Sound Design: Wayne Parkes and Sam Turner Addit...

Apr 09, 2021•32 min

Episode 1: The Fuse is Lit

The childhoods of a group of kids in Brixton are punctured by the threat of racism. That realisation changes their lives - and sets them on a course to the Brixton riots years later. This podcast includes strong language, racist terms and descriptions of violence. ---------- Credits: Presenter: Big Narstie Producer: Ben Robinson Editor: Gail Champion Executive Producer: Natasha Johansson Sound Design: Wayne Parkes and Sam Turner Additional production: Jane Andrews and Annabel Deas Research: Derr...

Apr 09, 2021•30 min

Coming soon...

Forty years ago, Brixton burned. It was the people versus the police as riots broke out over a spring weekend. Big Narstie speaks to the people involved to reveal the causes of the violence. A series of injustices shaped and tainted people’s lives and caused resentment to grow until it couldn’t be contained. The uprising changed the national conversations on identity and race and was a catalyst for changes to policing across the UK. Big Narstie explores the impact of the riots on individual live...

Apr 07, 2021•4 min

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