IT WAS supposed to be a programme exploring the issue of immigration in Southampton.

But in the end it showed camera crews claiming to be censored through intimidation, facing threats of being shot and eventually having to retreat from filming under a shower of rocks.

In one scene after the film crew has come under attack from stones one gang member was seen to issue the chilling threat: “Next time it will be gunshots.”

Tyres were also slashed and the crew faced threats of acid attacks and fingers being chopped off.

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In parts it gave the impression that Southampton could at times have more in common with the lawless cowboy town of Dodge City.

Setting out to show life for immigrants living in St Mary’s, documentary makers wanted to created a sequel to the highly controversial show Benefits Street in the ethnically-diverse Derby Road.

For months MPs, councillors and community leaders had campaigned against the airing of Immigration Street.

They forced Channel 4 to reduce a six-part series to a one-hour show.

But community leaders claimed that the programme misrepresented Southampton as a violent city dominated by gangs.

But was it that anti- Immigration Street campaign which inadvertently fuelled the desire of vigilante gangs to bring terror and threats to those involved in the programme?

And why, despite the violence being condemned across the city and shown on national television, has no one faced any criminal action?

Since the programme was aired Hampshire police say that officers have been examining the footage “with a fine toothcomb”.

Superintendent James Fulton said that they have tracked down, and spoken to, everyone concerned in the programme, victims as well as those at the centre of the violence and threats.

So, having done that, why aren’t they arresting those who brought crime to the streets of Southampton?

Supt Fulton said that all the incidents are being investigated and that any crimes would be recorded.

But he added that no one has come forward requesting further police action against anyone.

He added that the lack of evidence and statements from Channel 4 makes it difficult for them to secure a successful prosecution, and that they have only seen the “edited highlights”.

Supt Fulton added that without a complaint from Channel 4 the police themselves would find it difficult to take action.

He said that they had no footage or evidence which would explain what happened in the run-up to, and the aftermath of, each incident and without that police action would be difficult.

But he did repeat calls made earlier in the week asking Channel 4 to pursue any of the complaints made in the film.

He added: “If Channel 4 had provided evidence to us at the time we would have taken positive action against those involved. Had that been the case [the offenders] would have been charged.”

But Channel 4 has defended not making an official complaint to police.

A spokesman said: “While the programme has only gone out this week the fact the crew was threatened and attacked has been in the public domain for more than two weeks.

“We said then that while we made the police aware of the incidents we decided not to pursue it formally as we felt it would make life more difficult for the contributors.

That still stands.”

Meanwhile, campaigner against the programme Southampton city councillor Satvir Kaur implored people to come forward to report any crime that had been committed.

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She said: “From my understanding the police are taking action and they’re continuing to work with the community and those individuals that have been affected.

“The responsibility to report these incidents to the police comes from Love Productions.

“Anybody should report any type of crime as soon as they become aware of it.”

Although there were many people contributing to the show at the start of the programme several participants withdrew and by the end the violence was escalating.

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Cllr Kaur added that she felt it was because Love Productions did not fully engage with the community that the documentary was presented as it was.

She said: “[Channel 4] are using these individuals to represent an entire street just because they didn’t get what they wanted.”

She added that other documentaries have been made about immigration in the area, with one being made at the moment involving residents in Southampton.

The Channel 4 spokesman added: “We felt that the programme was a fair representation and reflection of the lives of the individuals on the streets.

“If we had had the opportunity to film all six episodes we would have shown more people and more different aspects of life on Derby Road.”